§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) whom he consulted outside of Government, and when, before publishing his recent proposals on the financing of information technology centres; and what was the result of those consultations;
(2) what consultations he had with information technology centres before publishing his recent proposals for their future financing; and what was the result of these consultations.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe basis on which the Manpower Services Commission funds information technology centres has not changed, except for the additional funding which the commission is providing until October 1985. Centre sponsors and managers have been aware from the outset that the funding from the Department of Trade and Industry was for pump-priming purposes for a limited period only. I have not therefore carried out the widespread consultations referred to. The announcement I made in my reply to my hon. Friend the member for Thanet, North (Mr. Gale) on 7 November 1984, at columns, 2–3, should encourage centres to continue their development and thus enhance our efforts to accelerate training in new technology.