Aerospace Industry

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean Excerpts

Monday 5th December 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord De Mauley]

That is also an extremely important point. We have invested £1.3 billion in apprenticeships this year and another £180 million in funding adult apprenticeships to deliver 250,000 more apprenticeships over the spending review period than was previously planned, and £250 million has been allocated to develop the vocational training that businesses need. We are making it easier for small employers to take on young apprentices, and we are working with the lead trade association ADS and the sector skills group SEMTA to secure the skills and competencies and make aerospace the industry of choice for the workforce of tomorrow.

[Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean]

My Lords, the Minister was somewhat ambivalent earlier on in answering the question about whether the Government would take on the Joint Strike Fighter. Will he assure the House that in making any decision on this point, the Government will fully take into account the enormous amount of money that has already been spent by the Government, and indeed the previous Government, in investing in the future of the Joint Strike Fighter?

[Lord De Mauley]

My Lords, I am sorry if I appeared ambivalent. The noble Baroness is quite right and, yes, I will.