Oral Answers to Questions

Pamela Nash Excerpts
Thursday 18th November 2010

(14 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I call Dave Watts. Not here.

Pamela Nash Portrait Pamela Nash (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab)
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11. How many apprenticeship starts there were in the academic year 2009-10; and if he will make a statement.

John Hayes Portrait The Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning (Mr John Hayes)
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Final data for apprenticeship starts in the 2009-10 year are not yet available. Provisional data published on Tuesday showed that there were 273,900 apprenticeship starts in that academic year.

Pamela Nash Portrait Pamela Nash
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I thank the Minister for that answer. The leader of the Scottish Labour party has assured every young person in Scotland that if he becomes First Minister in May, they will receive an apprenticeship if they so wish. Can the Minister also provide that reassurance to the rest of the young people in this country?

John Hayes Portrait Mr Hayes
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The hon. Lady is the youngest Member in the House. It was Swift who said:

“Invention is the talent of youth, as judgment is of age”,

and it is my judgment that much of the Opposition’s position on apprenticeships is indeed invention. We will put £250 million more into apprenticeships to create more than ever before.