HC Deb 02 June 1981 vol 5 cc770-1
14. Dr. Mawhinney

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will meet the chairman of the Peterborough youth opportunities council to discuss provision under the Manpower Services Commission for youth in Peterborough.

Mr. Peter Morrison

As my hon. Friend knows, I shall, at his invitation, be speaking to the Peterborough youth opportunities council on the 18th of this month. I shall listen carefully to what it has to tell me.

Dr. Mawhinney

My hon. Friend will be welcome in Peterborough. When he is there, will he take the opportunity to get briefed on the Phoenix farm project under the youth opportunities programme, which is being seriously hampered—income is being lost to the scheme—because of the bureaucratic procedures and inflexibility of the Manpower Services Commission?

Mr. Morrison

I know of the valuable contribution that the Phoenix training workshop farm has made to the YOP. I appreciate the problems that it has had. I have asked the Commission to consider the issue again and to be as flexible as possible in its approach to the problem.