§ Mr. Lambieasked the Paymaster General when will the proposed new skillcentre at Irvine be given the go-ahead, and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Trippier[pursuant to the reply, 23 February 1987, c. 88]: We have asked the Manpower Services Commission to review its skills training agency's capital expenditure policies and arrangements. This follows upon a review last year of the agency's personnel policies and practices in the light of its experience as a trading organisation. Until the further review is completed, the agency has decided that the Irvine skillcentre should continue at its present site.
§ Mr. Pikeasked the Paymaster General if he will list in the Official Report the skillcentres in Lancashire in June 1979 and at present: and the number of places provided at each centre for both dates.
§ Mr. Trippier[pursuant to his reply, 26 February 1987]: There are two skillcentres in Lancashire; East Lancs skillcentre in Hyndburn and Preston skillcentre. Both were in operation in 1979. As I stated in my reply to the hon. Member's question on 25 June 1986 at column 339, statistics on skillcentre training volumes have, since 1983, been kept in terms of training weeks available rather than places available. In January 1987, East Lancs provided 697 training weeks, and Preston provided 639 training weeks. Figures for 1979 are not available.