§ Mr. Fosterasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will expand the 79W training opportunities scheme preparatory courses, aimed at improving basic literacy and numeracy in areas of high unemployment, as recommended by the training opportunities scheme review; and if he will do so in the Durham county council area.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission, which is responsible through its training services division for the running of preparatory courses, that it expects to maintain over the remainder of the financial year the present levels of preparatory course training both nationally and in the area of Durham county.
§ Mr. Fosterasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will set up a number of experimental special temporary employment programme projects in which training organised and approved by the TSD would be an essential element, as recommended by the training opportunities scheme review; and if he will set up some of these experimental projects in the Northern region.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI understand from the Manpower Services Commission that it has no plans to set up any such projects at present.