§ 21. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the progress being made with plans for youth training.
§ 29. Dr. John Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a statement on the progress of the youth training scheme.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonSteady progress is being made towards achieving our target to cater for 460,000 entrants during the first year of operation of the youth training scheme, which becomes fully operational in September.
There has been a good response by employers, and a campaign aimed at making young people and their parents aware of the scheme is currently under way.
All the area manpower boards, which will have major responsibility for the success of the scheme in their areas, have now been set up.
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34. Mr. Haslehurstasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many 17-year-olds he expects to be covered by the youth training scheme at its inception.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI hope it will be possible for all unemployed 17-year-old school leavers, estimated to number about 50,000, to be offered places under the scheme during the first year.
§ 37. Mr. Watsonasked the Secretary of State for Employent what is his latest estimate of the number of places that are likely to be made available on the youth training scheme for autumn 1983.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonWe are aiming to provide places under the scheme for 460,000 young people in 1983–84. No precise figures are currently available for the number of places likely to be offered in the autumn, but I am confident that we shall meet out target. The Government have given a guarantee that an early offer of a suitable place will be made to all unemployed 16-year-old school leavers, the great majority of whom will be coming on to the labour market after leaving school in the summer.
§ 46. Mr. Kenneth Carlisleasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether there will be sufficient places on the youth training scheme to meet the latest expected demand.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe Manpower Services Commission estimates that places will be needed to cater for about 460,000 entrants. I am confident that this target will be achieved.
§ Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the estimate of the number of young people (a) male and (b) female in England who wilt be eligible for the special training scheme due to start in September next; and if he is confident that enough places will be available.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI regret that information is not available in the form requested. The youth training scheme is, however, intended to cater for 460,000 youngsters m 1983–84, of whom about half are expected to be female. I am confident that sufficient places will be available.