To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what strategies he has to create apprenticeships in his Department; and what plans he has to promote such strategies.

The Department for Transport has well established apprenticeship programmes within four of its Agencies. This has enabled 312 existing staff to benefit from apprenticeships since 2009. Apprenticeships will continue to be offered and promoted within the Agency offering the opportunity.

The Department has also recently developed a single Departmental approach to recruiting apprentices as part of our employment offer for 2013 - 2014. All Executive Agencies and the central Department are participating in a drive to recruit apprentices into permanent roles as part of our employment offer for 2013/2014.

I fully support the provision of apprenticeships in the transport industry and recently met apprentices at Network Rails' base in Bristol.