To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to safeguard training provision in the road haulage industry. [16679]

In July this year, the Road Haulage and Distribution Training Council was recognised by the Secretary of State as a National Training Organisation, one of a growing network of National Training Organisations currently being established. NTOs have the key responsibility for developing education and training arrangements in their sectors. TECs play a major role in the provision of training and contract with employers and training providers in that sector.