§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the future of the privatised Skills Training Agency and its contribution to the tackling of long-term skill needs.
§ Mr. Nicholls[holding answer 25 June 1990]: A key objective of the sale was to transfer as much of the Skills Training Agency to the private sector as was possible.
The Government are highly satisfied with the successful sale of 51 skill centres, together with other STA training services.
The terms agreed for the sales were designed to give purchasers a good prospect of long-term viability as training businesses. All purchasers have indicated their intention to develop skills training that meets market needs.