HC Deb 20 May 1986 vol 98 c144W
16. Mr. Rowe

asked the Paymaster General what plans he has to promote the use of flexible and distance learning to meet the training needs of the small business sector.

Mr. Trippier

I am anxious to encourage all forms of training to meet the needs of the small business sector, and the Manpower Services Commission, as an integral part of the adult training strategy, is exploring the use of flexible and distance learning in depth.

Already the MSC's open tech programme has commissioned open learning material specifically to meet the training needs of supervisors and managers in the small business sector whilst under its training for enterprise scheme it is currently investigating the potential of open learning as a medium for teaching skills necessary for the management of small businesses.