HC Deb 10 February 1981 vol 998 cc319-20W
30. Mr. Hal Miller

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the development of a common approach towards education, training and community work for school leavers.

Mr. Macfarlane

The Government are committed to considering the education and training needs of school leavers in their totality. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment announced on 21 November 1980—[Vol. 994, c. 205]—we are expanding the unified vocational preparation programme which integrates education, training and work experience for school leavers entering work. My right hon. Friend also announced the expansion of the youth opportunities programme and an improvement in the quality of the education and training offered in this; the education service is playing a full part in the process and the Manpower Services Commission is working closely with local education authorities. The review of education for 16 to 19-year-olds, published on 26 January, encourages local education authorities to plan in an integrated way to meet the educational needs of this age group, and also to have regard to the related areas of training and employment.

My right hon. and learned Friend and I, together with the Secetary of State for Employment and other Ministers concerned, met the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission on 24 November to consider how all these initiatives might be drawn together in a more full coherent strategy. These discussions are continuing.