HC Deb 02 April 1984 vol 57 c388W
Mr. Pike

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will compare the allocation of places for those for whom English is a second language under training opportunities programmes for 1984–85 as against 1983–84.

Mr. Peter Morrison

In 1984–85 the Manpower Services Commission plans to support 1,750 people on courses of work-related English as a second language under the training opportunities scheme, compared with an estimated 2,050 in 1983–84.

Mr. Pike

asked the Secretary of State for Employment to what extent the allocation of 1984–85 training opportunities scheme places for those for whom English is a second language reflects the increasing levels of ethnic minority unemployment.

Mr. Peter Morrison

Language training under the training opportunities scheme is provided to meet the particular training needs of some members of ethnic minorities and is not dependent upon the general level of unemployment among ethnic minorities.