§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was spent from public funds on training how many people(a) in Wales and (b) in connection with LG companies in 1996–97; and if he will estimate expenditure and numbers in respect of (a) and (b) in (i) 1997–98 and (ii) 1998–99. [33285]
§ Mr. HainWelsh Office expenditure on the main youth and adult training programmes delivered via Training and Enterprise Councils in 1996–97 amounted to £83.2 million and covered 37,734 starts by people on the programmes. Comparable provision in the current financial year amounts to £386.1 million and it is estimated that, by the outturn, there will have been some 31,540 starts. For 1998–99, the equivalent figures are £77 million and 29,000 starts, although target activity and funding levels are subject to on-going contractual negotiations with the TECs. These figures do not include training linked to TEC funding from their Business Growth and Start-Up budget and Local Initiative Fund, or training under the New Deal.
No public funds were spent on training in connection with LG companies in 1996–97. The above figures for 1997–98 and 1998–99 include 32 Modern Apprentices in training linked to LG companies, supported by Welsh Office funding of £50,000 in 1997–98 and £125,000 in 1998–99. In addition, in 1997–98, Gwent TEC has been allocated £2 million for the training of 547 people from LG companies. The equivalent figures for 1998–99 are £6 million for 1,660 people. Finally, LG (Electronics) has free occupancy of a Welsh Development Agency building to use as a training centre for 3 years. The value of this is estimated at some £206,000 a year for 1997–98 and 1998–99. The costs of training at the Centre are being met by LG (Electronics), drawing on the funding assistance noted above.