§ Mrs. Clwydasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about his review of vocational qualifications.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe review group on vocational qualifications, chaired by Mr. H. G. de Ville, made an interim report on 23 September to my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Education and Science, Employment, Wales, and to the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission. A copy of the interim report has been placed in the Library. It offers a statement of objectives for an improved system of vocational qualifications and specific recommendations for the certification of the two-year youth training scheme; my right hon. Friends have indicated their acceptance of these. The report also sets out options for an improved qualifications structure and for the appropriate machinery for achieving that; these are currently the subject of consultation with the interests concerned. A final report is expected in April 1986.