HC Deb 19 October 1989 vol 158 cc235-6W
Mr. Strang

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment why he has not yet replied to the letter of 27 June from the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East concerning his undertaking of 2 December 1987 to increase the number of factory and agriculture inspectors by 40 by 31 March 1989.

Local authorities who have withdrawn Political control Date withdrew Reason
Barrow Borough Council Labour 4 November 1988 Political opposition
Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council Labour 24 February 1989 Political opposition
Wolverhampton Metropolitan Borough Council Labour End August 1989 Political opposition
Nottinghamshire County Council Labour End December 1988 Political opposition
London Borough of Merton Conservative 19 May 1989 Operational difficulties
London Borough of Barnet Conservative 31 March 1989 Operational difficulties
Cleveland County Council Labour 3 September 1989 Political opposition

Mr. Hardy

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what consideration he has given to the report on employment training commissioned by the Training Agency which reviewed the position within the south Yorkshire area; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Nicholls

This particular survey was carried out in February and March. It was commissioned by one of the Training Agency's area offices to help them and their training agents and training managers address a number of teething problems encountered in the first six months of employment training in that area.

Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the methods used by his Department to assess(a) the quality of the training given through the employment training programme and (b) its results in terms of both skills learned by the trainees and their subsequent full-time employment.

Mr. Nicholls

[holding answer 18 October 1989]: The main methods used to assess the quality of training in employment training are: An examination of providers against specific criteria leading to the award of approved status; and ongoing and comprehensive annual review to measure progress and ensure that quality training programmes continue to be delivered.

In addition, from next April the remit of the independent Training Standards Advisory Service will be extended to cover the inspection of employment training providers.

The skills learned by trainees and their subsequent full-time employment will be assessed through information contained on leavers' certificates completed by

Mr. Fowler

A reply was sent on 18 October 1989.