§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what commitment his Department offers to training schemes specifically aimed at encouraging women to return to work.
Mr. JacksonMy Department's work to promote women's participation in training has been based on the requirement that all training providers implement a positive commitment to equal opportunities. Action has therefore been directed at removing the barriers that women encounter in reconciling training with their domestic commitments and allowing them access to the full range of programmes. The training and enterprise councils and local enterprise companies are addressing the specific needs of women returners and providing training schemes that meet them.