HC Deb 17 October 1994 vol 248 cc61-2W
Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary's letter to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West of 12 September, what consultations he has had with the National Council for Vocational Qualifications in relation to the appointment of independent auditors to monitor the quality of non-vocational qualifications awarded to training providers' clients; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Paice

Discussions have taken place between officials and the National Council for Vocational Qualifications about the role and number of additional staff to monitor the quality of national vocational qualifications. Detailed proposals are awaited.

Ms. Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of those achieving(a) NVQ 1, (b) NVQ 2 and (c) NVQ 3 who are working are women.

Mr. Paice

Estimates from the labour force survey in spring 1994 for the proportion of those in employment holding NVQ/SVQ in Great Britain who are women are shown in the following table:

Highest level held Per cent.
NVQ/SVQ level 1 60
NVQ/SVQ level 2 58
NVQ/SVQ level 3 39

People in employment include employees, self-employed, those on Government employment and training programmes and those doing unpaid family work.

Ms. Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of those achieving and failing(a) NVQ 1, (b) NVW 2 and (c) NVQ 3 are women.

Mr. Paice

Estimates from the labour force survey in spring 1994 for the proportion of those holding NVQ/SVQs in Great Britain who are women are shown in the following table:

Highest level held Per cent.
NVQ/SVQ level 1 58
NVQ/SVQ level 2 56
NVQ/SVQ level 3 39

Candidates are only submitted for certification when assessment shows them to be competent. There are no failures.