§ Mr. Fosterasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has issued any guidance to the careers service about its involvement in the youth opportunities programme.
§ Mr. Peter Morrison[pursuant to his reply, 17 February 1981, c.31]: Under the terms of the Employment and Training Act 1973 guidance to local education authorities on the careers service in England is issued by my right hon. Friend. The latest ministerial guidance is 285W given in the memorandum issued by my right hon. Friend in November 1980. The guidance says that local education authorities should seek to ensure that the staff of the careers service co-operate with the local staff of the Manpower Services Commission's special programmes division and training services division, and other agencies, in identifying the needs of unemployed young people and encouraging them to take part in special programmes or training opportunities.
Staff are also expected to co-operate with staff of the local employment service division offices of the Manpower Services Commission, so that information about vacancies and opportunities can be shared and used to the best advantage of young people. Supplementary advice to the guidance describes in detail how the careers service should be involved in the youth opportunities programme.