Training and Enterprise Councils

HC Deb 08 March 1990 vol 168 cc799-800W

Mr. Blair

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether the objectives stated in the speech by his predecessor of 6 December 1989 remain the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Howard

My predecessor offered a framework of objectives for the development of training in the 1990s. Progress on meeting the objectives depends primarily on action by organisations outside Government; they cannot be specific Government targets. I will be considering with those concerned the steps that need to be taken. With falling numbers of young people and increasing international competition, training is a key priority for the 1990s. That is why we are establishing training and enterprise councils across the country to improve our training effort and our competitive position.