asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the total reduction in clerical and commercial placements on the training opportunities scheme to date.

Figures on training opportunities scheme placements before 1979–80 are not directly comparable with later figures. It is estimated, however, that the level at present planned for 1982–83—13,033—is about the same as when the scheme was set up in 1972. This represents a reduction of about one-third over the last two years, reflecting the Manpower Services Commission's decision that the scheme should focus sharply on skills of greatest value to the economy.