To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the progress of the training credits pilots.

All 11 pilot schemes for training credits commenced on time on 1 April. Young school leavers in pilot areas are now receiving training credits and starting to use them to obtain approved training of their choice.

Does my right hon. and learned Friend accept that training credits are already popular with young people because they extend choice and opportunity in the type of training which young people undertake? Does he agree that training credits are a great deal more popular than the Labour party's out-of-date and outmoded policies which rely on compulsion for their implementation?

My hon. Friend is entirely right. The right way forward is to put buying power directly into the hands of these young people. Our pilot schemes, all of which commenced on time, are proving the success of that approach.