§ Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the reduction in the number of apprenticeships available in the last 12 months.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that there are no complete statistics on how many young people enter apprenticeships and other occupations requiring long term training. However, from information available, it is estimated that up to 10,000 fewer apprentices and similar trainees have been recruited in the current training year compared with 1979–80.