asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the contribution to employability made by preparatory training opportunity programme courses.

I am informed by the MSC that TOPS preparatory courses, which are intended to supplement the provision made by the education service for adult basic education, are designed to meet the needs of unemployed adults who need language, literacy or numeracy skills to assist their search for employment or further training. These courses make a valuable contribution to improving the employment prospects of those who can benefit from this.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish the planned reduction in the number of preparatory training opportunity programmes training places in each region of the United Kingdom and the total.

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.