HC Deb 23 April 1990 vol 171 cc101-2W
Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his policy on the inclusion in publications of his Department and its associated agencies of advertising or promotional material for companies linked with quasi-religious cults; and if he will make a statement on the appearance in the Training Agency's open learning map of London of material promoting the activities of Programmes Training Ltd.

Mr. Eggar

The open learning map of London published by the Training Agency provides basic details of nearly 100 organisations producing open learning materials or providing open learning. Programmes Training Ltd. is one of these. The map includes a statement which makes it clear that inclusion of an organisation does not imply Training Agency endorsement of those organisations or a recommendation of their products.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his policy on the provision by the Training Agency of grants to companies sending employees on courses provided by companies associated with quasi-religious cults; and what sums of money have been expended by the Training Agency on grants relating to courses run by Programmes Training Ltd.

Mr. Eggar

The provision of local training grants to companies sending employees on courses ended in March 1989 with the introduction of business growth training.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information his Department collects on the activities of religious and quasi-religious cults in the field of employment training; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

None. Our policy is that proposals for employment training which could be used either directly or indirectly to promote religious views cannot be accepted for support.

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