To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what training initiatives have been introduced in Basildon in each of the last two years.

Over the last two years Essex TEC has carried out the training initiatives specified in its contract, including youth training, employment training, enterprise allowance scheme, high technology national training, business enterprise training and various education programmes, such as education business partnerships. TECs have also been given the flexibility to introduce other initiatives to meet specific local needs and information on these can be obtained by contacting Essex TEC direct.