§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Employment what increase there has been, following the provisions of the Education Act 1981 relating to special educational needs, in the proportion of funds allocated to those with special educational needs on the youth training scheme; and what is the relative size of this increase in percentage terms.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe allocation of funds arising from the provisions of the Education Act 1981 is a matter for local education authorities. Youth training scheme funds are allocated on the basis of the needs of all eligible young people.
§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many trainees with special educational needs are currently training within the youth training scheme; and what ratio this represents of the total number of youth training scheme trainees.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe information is not available.
§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of staff involved in the training and education of youth training scheme trainees with special educational needs has a special needs qualification.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe information is not available.
§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Employment how the Manpower Services Commission defines special educational needs in the context of the youth training scheme.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe identification of young people with special educational needs is the responsibility of local education authorities. All eligible youngsters, including those with special educational needs are entitled to join the youth training scheme and to benefit from the training it provides.
§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the number of recorded entrants to the youth training scheme for each month since its inception to the latest available date.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe information requested is given in the following table.
397W
Recorded entrants to YTS* 1983 April 2,773 May 4,403
Recorded entrants to YTS* June 14,503 July 24,195 August 42,460 September 81,144 October 77,339 November 40,297 December 17,195 1984 January 20,705 February 17,303 March 11,662 April 7,332 May †4,957 * Figures for April and May 1983 are not directly comparable with those for April and May 1984. † Provisional.