§ Sir Thomas ArnoldTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the changes made to his Department's definition of unemployment since May 1979, with the dates upon which the changes were made.
§ Miss WiddecombeI refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) on 26 October 1992 at column496.
§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to encourage better skills training; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe Government's strategy is to encourage effective investment in skills by employers and individuals, by stimulating a strong market in training, by encouraging standard setting and by offering training to young people and long term unemployed people. Britain's workforce is becoming more skilled. Over 2.5 million more people in the workforce now have a qualification than five years ago.
§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the latest available figures for the numbers of people on Government training schemes in North Derbyshire.
§ Miss WiddecombeAs at 18 June 1993 there were 1,070 people participating in training for work and 1,708 people in training on youth training in the area covered by the North Derbyshire training and enterprise council.
§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the estimated total amount spent by the Government on training since 1979.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe estimated total spend on training—including vocational education and enterprise—in Great Britain since 1979, in cash prices, is £23.8 billion and, at 1992–93 prices, is £31.6 billion.