§ 2. Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many applications have been received by the Manpower Services Commission in Wales to date for 3 financial assistance towards projects under the youth opportunities programme and the special temporary employment programme; and how many jobs are associated with these projects, respectively.
§ Mr. John MorrisI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission in Wales that, during April this year, it received 312 applications which would provide 717 places in the youth opportunities programme and 13 applications providing 134 places in the special temporary employment programme for adults.
§ Mr. WigleyIs the Secretary of State aware that, whereas the youth opportunities programme appears to have got off to a reasonable start, the STEP seems to be well below the level of activity in the job creation scheme 12 months previously? I am in no way criticising the performance of the Welsh Office or the Welsh unit of the Manpower Services Commission, because this is a British problem arising from reorganisation. Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman look into this matter to see whether it is possible to get a greater dynamism in order to bring to the attention of potential sponsors the opportunities that exist under the STEP?
§ Mr. MorrisThe detailed application of this programme is a matter for the Manpower Services Commission. The Government have supplied a large amount of money for the area boards to operate. The success of these schemes will depend upon the co-operation and willingness of industry, local authorities and all sorts of bodies to devise and sponsor schemes. I take cognisance of the hon. Gentleman's remarks. I do not accept that there is falling back, but I shall watch very carefully to see how this programme develops, certainly from September.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsDo not the figures given recently by Ministers for the total number of jobs provided under the various job creation schemes show that there are now about 150,000 people in Wales, including a very large number of young people, who are unemployed, without permanent jobs, or without jobs that offer long-term prospects? Is that what the Secretary of State meant when before the last General Election he spoke about "back to work with Labour"?
§ Mr. MorrisIf the hon. Gentleman is responsible, as I hope he is, I hope that he will not pour cold water over the enormous efforts that have been made in a whole series of measures to provide employment for people. If he wants to see more people on the dole, without hope, then, of course, he will do that. But we have provided a large number of job opportunities—about 60,000—for people in Wales. I hope very much that the programme which the hon. Member for Caernarvon (Mr. Wigley) welcomed a few moments ago will provide increased provision for young people in the course of the coming year. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will withdraw any suggestion that that is not an important facet of life which is welcomed in Wales, because it is sorely needed.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsI hope that the right hon. and learned Gentleman is not suggesting that they are permanent jobs. Will not he agree that a total of 89,000 people out of work plus those in temporary jobs is a pretty bleak prospect for the young people of Wales?
§ Mr. MorrisI have said all along that these figures are appallingly high. But I am confident that the public expenditure proposals of the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Edwards) and those which he campaigns for and advocates here—although he is the first to speak out for expenditure in his own area—if his party ever came to power, would mean a substantial increase in unemployment because the Conservatives would slash public expenditure right across the line, especially in Wales.