HC Deb 28 June 1989 vol 155 cc471-2W
Ms. Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much his Department paid out in advance funding to employment training agents and managers; how much has been recouped; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Nicholls

The information requested is not available except at disproportionate cost.

All employment training (ET) training agents and training managers other than local authorities were entitled to 100 per cent. advance funding in the first three months of ET. Advances will be recouped where appropriate up to August 1989.

Mr. Wilson

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state(a) the production cost, (b) the amount spent on television advertising so far and (c) the projected campaign budget, in respect of the current commercial for employment training.

Mr. Nicholls

The information required is as follows:

  1. (a) The production cost of the commercial was £494,500. This included producing both the 60 and 40 second versions.
  2. (b) The amount spent on television advertising up to 21 June 1989 is £2,024,000 excluding production costs.
  3. (c) The projected budget for the current TV campaign excluding production costs is £3,795,000.

All figures are inclusive of value added tax.

Mr. Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment to what extent extended introduction is being made available to people with disabilities on employment training; and whether its uptake is monitored by training agents, training managers and the employment rehabilitation service.

Mr. Nicholls

Disabled people form part of the client group which extended introduction is designed to help. Opportunities to join extended introduction are available in all the Department's Training Agency's areas. Statistics are not available on the number of disabled people entering extended introduction. However, training managers work to remove any obstacles such as premises constraints which could make it difficult for disabled people to take advantage of extended introduction.

Mr. Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what measures are being taken to inform disablement resettlement officers of the residential training provision available to disabled people wishing to take part in the employment training programme.

Mr. Lee

The initial training of disablement resettlement officers includes information about residential training provision and incorporates a visit to a residential training college. While in post, they receive further information through written instructions and guidance, as well as through newsletters and information packs which detail the residential training available. Disablement resettlement officers have also taken part in Training Agency workshops about employment training, including residential provision for trainees.

Mr. Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of trainees currently taking part in the employment training programme are registered as disabled under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944.

Mr. Nicholls

Information is not presently available in the form requested. However, people who identified themselves as having a disability or long-term health problem which affects the work they can do make up 12 per cent. of entrants to employment training.

Mr. Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of the disabled trainees who entered the employment training programme by the end of February, are currently training with an employer on a work placement.

Mr. Nicholls

The information requested is not available.