§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have gone through the roustabout training programme at the drilling instruction training centre; and what percentage of such people have subsequently been offered full-time employment by offshore contractors; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsA total of 217 people have gone through the roustabout training programme operated by the 343W offshore petroleum industry training board. Of these 191 or 88 per cent. have successfully completed their agreed training and have obtained full-time jobs with offshore drilling contractors. I welcome this extremely successful employment training initiative with the private sector and recognise the important contribution it makes in helping unemployed people find work and in meeting the labour needs of the oil industry.