§ 8. Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Employment which Scottish local authorities operate Community Industry schemes for young school leavers.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. John Fraser)Four Community Industry teams have been set up in Scotland—one in Glasgow; one in Dundee; one in the Motherwell, Hamilton and Monklands districts; and one in Inverclyde. But it is not the normal practice of Community Industry to recruit young people straight from school.
§ Mr. CanavanWill my hon. Friend give an estimate of the proportionate share of the cost between central and local government in regard to Community Industry schemes? In view of the staggering total of unemployed youngsters in Scotland, including over 400 in my constituency, will he take emergency action to urge Scottish local authorities to initiate and extend such schemes? It is a national disgrace and a waste of time, talent and money to have youngsters on the dole hanging around street corners when there are useful jobs requiring to be done which would give a decent wage to those young people and provide them with job satisfaction and which would also provide valuable service to the community.
§ Mr. FraserFirst, as to cost, the proportion of cost falling on the central Government is£2.8 million. Local authorities pay for materials, transport and premises, and it is not possible to estimate what 1485 element that is of the total cost. Secondly, the Government are urgently considering an expansion of Community Industry. Thirdly, I hope that local authorities will be fully aware that they can initiate a Community Industry scheme, and I hope that apart from reading my remarks they will, if necessary, be prompted by their local Members of Parliament.