HC Deb 25 November 1983 vol 49 cc333-4W
Ms. Clare Short

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many providers of off-the-job training there are in the youth training scheme.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I regret that the information is not available.

Ms. Clare Short

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in the Official Report the companies which are providing youth training scheme places through the large companies unit; and what is the number of trainees involved in each case.

Mr. McQuarrie

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many trade unions have refused to cooperate with the Manpower Services Commission on the youth training scheme; and what is the estimated loss of jobs for young persons due to this action since the inception of the scheme.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I shall reply to the hon. Member and my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Mr. Nellist

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, pursuant to the reply of 21 November to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East, he considered using the shortfall on demand for the youth training scheme, the job splitting scheme and the young workers scheme referred to in the Chancellor's announcement in his autumn statement of savings of £121 million to increase the available resources allocated for training allowances; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Morrison

[pursuant to his reply, 24 November 1983, c. 269]: The Government have no immediate plans to review the level of training allowances of those on the youth training scheme.

Mr. Nellist

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East on 21 November, he will publish in the Official Report the basis of the Manpower Services Commission's proposal that a training allowance of £1,300 a year would be appropriate for the launch of the youth training scheme in 1983.

Mr. Peter Morrison

[pursuant to his reply, 24 November 1983, c. 269]: I refer the hon. Member to the report of the youth task group, published by the Manpower Services Commission in April last year. In June 1983 the commission by a majority, recommended to my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Employment that the allowance should be increased from the figure of £1,300 a year set by the Government, but the Secretary of State decided that it should remain at that level.