Training and Enterprise Councils (Hansard, 6 December 1991)

§ Mr. Hinchliffe
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take action to deal with the discrepancy between the Wakefield TEC and the Leeds TEC in their treatment of special needs training.

§ Mr. Forth
TECs and local enterprise companies are required to provide appropriate facilities and support for trainees who have special training needs. My right hon. and learned Friend is satisfied that adequate provision is available in the Wakefield and Leeds TEC areas.
The Wakefield TEC policy is to integrate trainees with special needs into mainstream provision designed to meet individual requirements. On the other hand, Leeds TEC has chosen to contract with several providers who cater specifically for trainees with special needs.

§ Mr. Hinchliffe
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what advice has been given to training and enterprise councils by his Department's solicitors concerning the legality of running employment action under TECs existing memoranda of association; what powers TECs have to revise their articles; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Forth
TECs were advised to consider whether their powers were wide enough to deliver employment action, and to amend their memorandum of association if they considered it necessary to do so.
TECs are private companies and it is for them to decide if such changes are needed and, under the terms of their contract with us, to seek our agreement.

§ Mr. Hinchliffe
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will, as a matter of urgency, meet representatives of the Wakefield TEC to discuss the circumstances of the 400 16 to 18-year-olds within the Wakefield district who currently have no training placement and are ineligible for DSS benefits; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Forth
The Department's officials are already in contact with Wakefield training and enterprise council 241W which is co-operating with the local careers service and has advised that it will be able to meet demand for youth training places in its area.

Number of business registered for VAT

end–1979 end–1990 Net change (per cent.)

Amber valley (district) 2,400 3,200 800 33.5

Derbyshire 18,800 24,900 6,100 32.4

East midlands 88,200 116,300 28,200 31.9

United Kingdom 1,288,900 1,709,300 420,400 32.6

Number of business registered for VAT
	end–1979	end–1990	Net change	(per cent.)
Amber valley (district)	2,400	3,200	800	33.5
Derbyshire	18,800	24,900	6,100	32.4
East midlands	88,200	116,300	28,200	31.9
United Kingdom	1,288,900	1,709,300	420,400	32.6