asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the current provision of apprentice training in carpentry and joinery, engineering and electrical trades.

The Manpower Services Commission's programme of special training measures has substantially maintained the level of apprentice recruitment in engineering and construction trades over the last four years. These measures are being replaced during 1979 by the Manpower Services Commission's "Training for Skills" programme and discussions are currently taking place with industry training boards and other bodies with responsibility for training about the provision of apprenticeships in engineering and construction skills. I am satisfied that these discussions will help to secure adequate provision of apprentice training, not least in those trades mentioned by my hon. Friend.