§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list(a) the number of youth training places in his office and (b) the number of places occupied in May for each of the years 1989, 1990 and the current year.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe Duchy of Lancaster has four youth training places on offer. In May 1989 two were occupied; in May 1990 two; and in May 1991 three. In addition, places are made available for school-children to gain work experience. Over a similar period 14 to 28 persons have been employed at any one time on employment training schemes on Duchy property.
The Duchy of Lancaster office in London makes a practice of offering employment to young school leavers at market rates of pay and assisting them with basic training in office skills during office hours.