asked the Minister for Education the number of students who have been in receipt of the £30 per month vocational preparation and training course allowance since it began; the way in which they were divided between vocational, community, comprehensive and voluntary secondary schools; and if she had any consultations with the management bodies or teachers' unions before deciding to abolish the allowance.
Written Answers. - Training Course Allowance.
148.
A total of 73,138 trainees have received a training allowance in respect of their participation in the vocational preparation and training programme since it began in September 1984. This figure can be broken down as follows: Vocational, 53,746; Secondary, 12,862; Community, 5,168; Comprehensive, 1,362.
I did not have consultations with managerial bodies or teachers' unions regarding the abolition of the allowance.