§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of jobs in Wales provided by engineering; and if he will make a statement. [26825]
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe latest available figures are for 1993, when some 85,400 employees were employed in engineering-related industries—SIC(92) divisions 28 to 35—in Wales, according to the census of employment. This represented an increase of 0.5 per cent. on the 1991 figure.
Since 1993, the Welsh Office has introduced designated funding for training and enterprise councils to support modern apprenticeships in manufacturing. In 1994–95, some 500 people started such apprenticeships. In 1995–96 and 1996–97, starts are expected to be 1,200 and more than 1,600, respectively.