§ Mr. Charles R. Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Employment why the Manpower Services Commission is reducing the number of student places on TSD preparatory courses, full-time basic education courses for unemployed adults, in the Greater Manchester area from 220 to 90, and cutting the length of such courses from 36 to 13 weeks.
§ Mr. Jim LesterThe MSC is maintaining the numbers passing through TSD preparatory courses next year at broadly the current levels but against the background of reductions in planned expenditure and staff has reviewed its provision in particular areas so as to ensure maximum effectiveness. I am informed by the MSC that this has resulted in some shifting of provision between areas and some reduction in the length of courses, though course lengths have not been fixed and are still subject to review in Manchester as elsewhere. The reduc
200W1974 for new dwelling starts. Information is collected centrally on a quarterly basis from local authorities. Final figures for 1979 will be available when outstanding returns are received.
tion in the number of available places in Manchester is greater than elsewhere, but follows from a careful consideration of the need.