§ 40. Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Paymaster General when he will next meet the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission to discuss the development of the Open Tech programme.
§ Mr. TrippierI regularly discuss training matters with the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission. I expect to receive and discuss the commission's proposals for future support for open learning, including Open Tech, following the conclusion of the current consultation exercise.
§ 44. Mrs. McCurleyasked the Paymaster General what assessment he has made of the outcome of the Open Tech programme and of its benefits to small firms.
§ Mr. TrippierThe Manpower Services Commission's Open Tech programme has funded over 140 projects which have already helped more than 20,000 people to improve their skills through open learning. Material is being produced to assist the owner-managers of small businesses in a variety of management topics and specialist material already available in the tourism and transport sectors, both of which contain a high proportion of small firms, has been well-received. The commission is reviewing how the future needs of small businesses for open learning material might be best met, but the final outcomes of the Open Tech programme will not be known for some time yet.