HC Deb 19 April 1989 vol 151 cc210-1W
Mr. Gill

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many training and enterprise councils he expects to approve in the west midlands; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Cope

I published a prospectus on 10 March inviting employers to form training and enterprise councils (TECs) in their local area. Response to TECs in the west midlands or elsewhere has been excellent. Groups of employers have been asked to apply for development funding. The deadline for first bids is 28 April. Decisions on the numbers of TECs will be taken when the bids are considered.