§ Mr. Spriggsasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many apprentices British engineering employers were training each year from 1968 to the latest date for which he has this information, respectively; and if he will take steps
Year of training 1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th year 5th year 1968–69 36,467 33,676 31,874 26,644 22,197 1969–70 34,852 31,299 28,702 26,885 20,656 1970–71 33,072 30,706 26,940 25,056 14,506 1971–72 23,894 27,857 25,986 22,939 10,084 1972–73 19 492 21,023 24,568 23,358 7,441 1973–74 20,867 17,549 18,644 21,953 5,251 1974–75 28,491 18,514 15,872 15,962 6,104 1975–76 24,775 24,151 17,070 14,047 4,735 1976–77 23,381 23,086 22,030 14,954 3,740 The table does not include trainees supported by training awards during 1975–76 and 1976–77. The number of additional award trainees supported in 1975–76 was 3,436 and in 1976–77 3,619.
306Wfor each year to 1977–78 since its establishment.
§ Mr. John GrantThere is no official definition of a quasi-autonomous nongovernmental body. Estimated expenditures by those bodies to which I make appointments and which are wholly or largely financed by my Department are:
to broaden the scope of the Manpower Services Commission with a view to providing a full four-year apprenticeship training.
§ Mr. GoldingThe total number of craft and technician trainees reported to be in training by employers in the engineering industry was as follows:
Currently engineering craft apprenticeships last between three and four years. The Government and the Manpower Services Commission take the view that the main responsibility for training rests with 307W industry and that where financial assistance is given from public funds towards the costs of apprentice training it should normally be limited to the first year, when training costs are greatest.