§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many unemployed young people have refused places on the youth training scheme (a) on Merseyside and (b) in Knowsley.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe total number of refusals is not available. The number of young people whose benefits were reduced for unreasonable refusal of a youth training scheme place in the metropolitan borough of Merseyside between 1 September 1983 and 31 March 1984 was 10. No cases of unreasonable refusal were reported in Knowsley.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Employment why he intends to reduce the number of staff monitoring the youth training schemes.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThere is no intention to reduce the number of staff monitoring the youth training scheme.
§ Mr. Batisteasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average cost of an unfilled place on (a) a mode A youth training scheme and (b) a mode B1 youth training scheme.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI refer my hon. Friend to the answer given in my reply of 26 April to the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Foster) at column 559.
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what the target figures for youth training scheme places in the construction industry recently negotiated with the construction industry training board are in each of the following categories (a) building crafts, (b) specialist building, (c) clerical and administration, (d) building operatives, (e) civil engineering, (f) mechanical engineering, (g) technician (building/civil engineering) and (h) mechanical engineering technician.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe construction industry training board has provisionally agreed to provide the following youth training scheme places in 1984–85 under its managing agency:
Category Target figures Building crafts 9,500 Specialist building 300 Clerical and administrative; Building operatives *4,200 Civil Engineering 750 Mechanical Engineering 2,325 Technician (building/civil engineering) 1,550 Mechanical engineering technician 320 Total 18,945 These figures do not include places in electrical contracting which are still under negotiation. * A breakdown of the figure given for clerical and administrative and building operative places is not available.
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what percentage of young people on 150W youth training schemes in the construction industry have been able to find permanent employment in that industry (a) during their time on the course, (b) on completing the course, and (c) within six months of finishing the course;
(2) how many trainees on the youth training scheme in the construction industry left the course before completion without suitable work to go to in the last year for which figures are available;
(3) how many places were available in the year 1983–84 on youth training schemes in the construction industry in (a) Greater London, (b) north-west England and (c) southeast England;
(4) how many places are currently available under the youth training scheme for young people who wish to gain experience and skills in the construction industry.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe information requested is not yet available. I shall, however, write to my hon. Friend in the near future.
§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Employment to what extent area manpower boards review the decisions of the relevant Manpower Services Commission staff concerning the approval or refusal of youth training schemes both initially and on renewal.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonIt is for individual area manpower boards to decide whether they wish to delegate to local officials of the Manpower Services Commission their responsibilities concerning initial approval and re-approval of schemes. In all cases where such delegation takes place, officials must inform the boards of the action they are taking.
§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Employment to what extent area manpower boards examine the most recent set of accounts of companies which act as youth training scheme managing agents before granting approval or renewal of youth training scheme places; and if they are encouraged to do so by his Department.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of schemes being considered for renewal under the youth training scheme meet or exceed minimum standards with regard to (a) their accounting practices, (b) their quality of work placements, (c) their quality of training and (d) their health and safety record.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThis information is not available.
§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Employment what account is taken of the application by youth training scheme sponsors of the principle of additionality when the renewal of their schemes is under consideration.
§ Mr. Peter Morrison[pursuant to his reply, 14 May 1984, c. 49]: In general, when contracts are being renewed, sponsors will be expected to provide approximately the same number of places in the coming year as in 1983–84.