HC Deb 26 October 2000 vol 355 c190W
Mr. Burden

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what actions he is taking to promote skills training related to automotive design and manufacturing. [132591]

Mr. Wicks

The promotion of skills training is at the heart of our decision to set up the Learning and Skills Council and to strengthen the National Training Organisations.

The motor industry is critical to Britain's competitiveness—and of course vital to the economy of the West Midlands—where the Government have made £129 million available for economic regeneration and job creation.

The industry has over 13,000 Modern Apprentices, is a priority sector for the Ufl, and will be central to the skills and training agenda of the local LSC in Birmingham.