§ Mr. Viggersasked the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals have been made for future support under the training opportunities scheme for diving training.
§ Mr. Peter Morrison[pursuant to his reply, 23 January 1981, c. 255]: I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that it proposes to reduce support for basic air diving training under the training opportunities scheme (TOPS) from 130 training completions in 1980–81 to 95 training completions in 1981–82. This reduction is being made because the Manpower Services Commission considers that the present level of TOPS support for basic air diver training is excessive in relation to the response of the industry to meet its own training needs.
The Commission is consulting interested parties in the industry about the future requirements for trained divers and about the level of support it would be appropriate to provide under TOPS after 1981–82.