§ Mr. John Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) whether he will publish whatever information he has available on the diminution of apprentice training in Wales, West Glamorgan, and the Port Talbot travel-to-work area, respectively, since May 1979;
(2) whether he will make a statement on the position of apprentices who have not been able to complete their indentures because of the recession in Wales, West Glamorgan and the Port Talbot travel-to-work area, respectively, in the last two years; and what steps are being taken to provide alternative facilities.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsThese are primarily matters for industry and the industry training boards. Comprehensive statistics on apprenticeship entry and completions are not available. The Government's general aims are both to help individuals to obtain vocational training and to strengthen our economy by having a better trained work force, and these objectives were covered by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister during the debate in the House on 27 July. More immediately, additional funds are being made available to support long-term training, and I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Employment on 21 July.—[Vol. 9, c. 73–74.]