HC Deb 12 June 1984 vol 61 cc431-2W
Mrs. Ann Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many of the young people who completed youth training schemes in (i) the clothing manufacturing and (ii) the clothing retailing industries in the last year for which figures are available were able to obtain work (a) immediately, (b) within six weeks, (c) within six months and (d) within one year;

(2) how many young people are currently on youth training schemes in the clothing manufacturing industries in Cheshire;

(3) how many young people are currently on youth training schemes in (a) clothing retailing and (b) clothing manufacturing industries in England and Wales;

(4) how many of the young people who commenced youth training schemes in the (a) clothing retailing and (b) clothing manufacturing industries in the last year for which figures are available left the scheme before completion (i) with an offer of employment and (ii) without an offer of employment.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The information is not yet available. I shall, however, write to my hon. Friend shortly.

Mrs. Ann Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have been employed in the clothing manufacturing industries in the United Kingdom in each of the years since 1964.

Mr. Alan Clark

Consistent estimates of employees in employment in the clothing manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom are available for June each year from 1964 to 1981. analysed according to the 1968 standard industrial classification (SIC). These are given in the following table together with figures for September 1981 on both the 1968 SIC and 1980 SIC. Figures are also given for June and September in 1982 and 1983 on the 1980 SIC, but these include estimates for the fur manufacturing industry not included in the earlier figures.

Employees in employment United Kingdom 1968 Standard Industrial Classification Clothing manufacturing industry (Minimum List Headings 441–446 and 449)
June each year Thousands
1964 406
1965 403
1966 399
1967 380
1968 376
1969 381

June each year Thousands
1970 360
1971 361
1972 360
1973 353
1974 340
1975 326
1976 307
1977 314
1978 307
1979 306
1980 275
1981 234
*1981 230
* September.
1980 Standard Industrial Classification
Group 453 Group 453/456
September 1981 230 235
June 1982 * 228
September 1982 * 226
June 1983 * 222
September 1983 * 224
* Not available.

Mrs. Ann Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have been employed in the retail sale of clothing in each of the years since 1974.

Mr. Alan Clark

The information, analysed according to the 1980 standard industrial classification, is available only from September 1981 when the estimated number of employees in employment in the retail distribution of clothing in the United Kingdom was 152,900. The corresponding figures in September 1982 and September 1983 were 152,500 and 151,800, respectively.

Mrs. Ann Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current annual budget for the provision of youth training scheme places in the (a) clothing retailing and (b) clothing manufacturing industries; and whether he has any plans to increase the level of funding.

Mr. Peter Morrison

There is no specific allocation of funds for particular industries within the estimates for the youth training scheme. I am satisfied that the level of funding provided is sufficient to ensure that suitable training places will be available to meet the needs of all eligible youngsters seeking places in the coming year.