HC Deb 11 March 1993 vol 220 cc718-20W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of young people eligible for the Government's youth training guarantee in each local enterprise company area; and what is the number of young people receiving youth training.

Mr. Stewart

[holding answer 10 March 1993]: Information about the number of young people eligible for the youth training guarantee in each local enterprise company area is unavailable. Local enterprise companies estimate demand in their areas for the purpose of planning provision and keep in touch with demand through liaison with the careers service, so that supply can be adjusted to ensure that the guarantee is met. The number of young people receiving youth training in Scotland as at December 1992 was 34,332.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish information on the meeting of the youth training guarantee by local enterprise company area.

Mr. Stewart

[holding answer 10 March 1993]: Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have assured Ministers that within their respective networks each local enterprise company is meeting the youth training guarantee; and will continue to meet it. More detailed information about supply and demand in relation to youth training is being refined, in consultation with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the careers service. It is my intention that appropriate information should be published once that process is complete.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people qualify for employment training; and how many are receiving employment training in Scotland.

Mr. Stewart

[holding answer 10 March 1993]: Given that the unemployed are eligible for a wide range of assistance from Government-funded sources, within which employment training is one option, it would not be meaningful to seek to identify the number of people in Scotland who qualify for employment training. As at December 1992 there were 14,813 people receiving employment training in Scotland.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research his Department has conducted into the quality and range of youth training and employment training schemes in Scotland; and if he will publish the results.

Mr. Stewart

[holding answer 10 March 1993]: The Scottish Office does not conduct such research at its own hand. The long-running evaluation studies of the effectiveness of youth training and employment training organised by the Department of Employment continue to cover Scotland. In addition it has been, since 1991, the responsibility of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to keep under continuous review the suitability and adequacy of training provided under these schemes.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the comparative expenditure per youth training and employment training place in each year since the commencement of these schemes.

Mr. Stewart

[holding answer 10 March 1993]: Expenditure in Scotland per youth training and employment training participant is as follows:

1991–92 (actual) £ 1992–93 (estimated outturn) £
Youth Training 2,671 2,791
Employment Training 5,902 6,291

Note: No separate Scottish data exist prior to 1991–92.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what citizens charter provisions apply to the rights of youth training, employment training and employment action participants.

Mr. Stewart

[holding answer 10 March 1993]: Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have drawn up statements of charter standards which they aim to apply to all their dealings with members of the public; and local enterprise companies have either adopted statements of charter standards or are considering doing so. In addition, the Government have stated clearly their commitment to fulfilling the youth training and employment training guarantees and to ensuring that those groups at which the training for work scheme is aimed receive an appropriate standard of treatment.