HC Deb 03 April 2001 vol 366 cc124-5W
Mr. Robert Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, (1) pursuant to his answer of 22 March 2001,Official Report, column 334W, what representations (a) he and (b) his officials received from trades unions representatives on the future National Training Organisation representation for the telecoms industry, indicating the dates of meetings and their outcome; [156840]

  1. (2) pursuant to his answer of 22 March 2001, Official Report, column 334W, what discussions (a) he and (b) his officials have held with e-skills and EMTA—the 125W Engineering and Marine Training Authority—on the future National Training Organisation representation for the telecoms industry; [156838]
  2. (3) pursuant to his answer of 22 March 2001, Official Report, column 334W, what discussions (a) he and (b) his officials have held with the NTO National Council on the future National Training Organisation representation for the telecoms industry, indicating the dates of the meetings and their outcome; [156839]
  3. (4) pursuant to his answer of 22 March 2001, Official Report, column 334W, how many organisations have been sent the consultation paper by his Department on the future National Training Organisation representation for the telecoms industry; and if he will list them; [156836]
  4. (5) pursuant to his answer of 22 March 2001, Official Report, column 334W, what discussions (a) he and (b) his officials have held with board members of the former NTO-telecom on the future National Training Organisation representation for the telecoms industry, indicating the dates of meetings and their outcome; [156841]
  5. (6) pursuant to his answer of 22 March 2001, Official Report, column 334W, how many replies have been received in response to the consultation exercise undertaken by his Department on the future National Training Organisation representation for the telecoms industry. [156837]

Mr. Wicks

The consultation paper has been sent to a total of 2,330 organisations, a list of which has been placed in the Library. The document has also been made available on the internet. The Department's Consultation Unit has received 143 replies.

This Government are committed to a strong network of employment led National Training Organisations (NTOs). As part of the consultation process, Ministers and officials have discussed with senior employer representatives from the telecommunications and call handling sector future NTO arrangements for the industry.

No discussions have been held, by Ministers or officials, with the NTO National Council or with trades unions representatives on the future NTO representation for the telecoms industry. Ministers have however received correspondence from trade union representatives on this matter.

Officials held discussions with the Chairman and Acting Chief Executive of nto tele.com on 16 August 2000. The Chief Executive of EMTA was also present at that meeting. No other discussions have been held with e-skills NTO and EMTA on the future NTO representation for the telecoms industry.