§ Dr. Hampsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of students in each of the sectors for which the training opportunities scheme offers training from when the scheme began to the present time.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the TOPS scheme, which was introduced in August 1972, offers training over a wide range of courses. The grouping of these courses for statistical purposes changed in 1976 and the following information provided by the Commission is therefore on a different basis for the years 1972–75 and 1976 to March 1978:
TOPS: Numbers of trainees completing courses.
the Engineering Industry Training Board consulted the appropriate employers' and employees' organisations and a number of education institutions during the course of the Board's review of craft apprenticeships in engineering. The proposals arising from this review were published in March 1978 and were widely distributed so that broader discussion and consideration could take place before any decisions are taken. I am satisfied that the Board has taken all reasonable steps 781W to ensure that the proposals are brought to the notice of those likely to be affected.