Mr. HaroldWalker asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current number of places available for trainees under the training opportunities programme; what estimate he has made of the number of places that will be available in each of the next two years; and how these compare with the numbers of places in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe table below shows the numbers of entrants to training courses under the training opportunities scheme for each of the past five years, with the number expected in 1981–82. The Manpower Services Commission's estimates for 1982–83 will be published shortly in the commission's corporate plan.
55W
Year Estimate 1976–77 121,160 1977–78 88,670 1978–79 94,990
Year Estimate 1979–80 87,990 1980–81 79,740 1981–82 71,100 The figures for 1976–77 include figures for young people. Since 1978, when the youth opportunities programme was introduced, training for young people has been linked to this programme rather than TOPS.