§ Mr. John Grantasked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he will take to encourage the improvement of training facilities for the young unemployed in the ethnic communities over and above those already under way.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that young people from ethnic minorities aged 19 or over are eligible for the full range of courses offered under the MSC's training opportunities scheme—TOPS—including preparatory courses to remedy basic deficiencies in literacy, numeracy and knowledge of spoken English. Similarly, those young people aged 16 to 18 who become unemployed may be assisted by the youth opportunities programme. The MSC, in collaboration with the Commission for Racial Equality, has set up a working group with wide ranging membership to advise on how to make programme opportunities more relevant to young people from ethnic minorities.