§ Mr. John Morrisasked the Secretary of State far Wales (1) how many apprentices are being taken on in Wales this year; and how many were taken on in each Of the previous three years;
(2) how many apprenticeships have been discontinued this year in Wales before their completion; and what steps were taken to provide alternative facilities.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsComprehensive statistics on apprenticeship entry and completion are not available 149W Apprenticeship training is primarily the responsibility of industry and industry training boards, but the Government already make substantial funds available, through the Manpower Services Commission and the industry training boards, to support apprenticeship training, including adoption grants, to encourage employers to take on redundant apprentices. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Employment, announced yesterday—[Vol. 9, c. 73–74]—that, subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the grant-in-aid to the Manpower Services Commission will be increased by £9.6 million in 1981–82 and £11.0 million in 1982–83 for this purpose.