§ 26. Mr. Gerald HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to meet the138W Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry to discuss the introduction of training and enterprise councils.
§ Mr. FowlerI have no immediate plans to meet the Director-General of the CBI. The CBI has strongly supported our proposals to introduce training and enterprise councils and I look forward to its continued involvement as the initiative develops.
§ 49. Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many representations he has received on the introduction of training and enterprise councils.
§ 73. Mr. WattsTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what progress is being made on establishing training and enterprise councils; and if he will make a statement.
§ 91. Mr. RiddickTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received from industry and commerce in response to his plans to set up training and enterprise councils; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CopeI published a prospectus on 10 March inviting employers to form training and enterprise councils. The response from employers has been excellent; almost 4,000 individuals and organisations have expressed an interest.
§ 93. Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the number of employers likely to be involved with the training and business programmes which will be organised by the training and enterprise councils.
§ Mr. CopeTraining and enterprise councils will ensure that a greater number of employers are involved with training and enterprise activities at a local level. One of the major tasks of TECs will be to encourage employers to invest in training and developing their own staff as well as supporting the training and business programmes of the TEC. I published a prospectus on 10 March inviting employers to form TECs. Response has been excellent and there is already considerable interest throughout the country.