To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent representations he has received from (a) training providers and (b) further education colleges on (i) Train to Gain and (ii) apprenticeship places in 2009-10. (283014)

Since 1 April there have been 185 letters received on a whole range of topics regarding Train to Gain and apprenticeships. It is not possible to identify precisely how many of these letters would have raised the issue of places available in 2009-10, as this could be one of a number of points raised in such a letter. Of the letters received six were directly from further education colleges, five from training providers and a further 60 from MPs.

Ministers are also involved in regular discussions with the Association of Colleges and the Association of Learning Providers as well as visits with individual colleges and training providers where they discuss a wide range of issues including the current position of the Train to Gain and Apprenticeship programmes.