Youth Opportunities Programme (Hansard, 19 October 1982)

§ 3. Mr. Neubert
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people were on the youth opportunities programme at the latest available date.

§ The Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. Peter Morrison)
At the end of August there were about 205,000 occupied places on the youth opportunities programme.

§ Mr. Neubert
What response has there been from industry and commerce to the new training initiative, how many places have been forthcoming and is my hon. Friend satisfied with the standard of training opportunities likely to be available?

§ Mr. Morrison
By and large, I am satisfied by industry's response to the youth training scheme. I applaud the emphasis that the Manpower Services Commission is putting on quality. We wish to have as many industrial and commercial sponsors as we can.

§ Mr. Craigen
What view does the Department of Employment take of the fact that many people are having to take jobs well below their ability because of the present high unemployment? What impact will people working in jobs that do not fully use their abilities and qualifications have on the future of industrial relations?

§ Mr. Morrison
As the hon. Gentleman will have heard constantly from the Conservative Benches, jobs arise only out of profitable enterprises, and we believe that in the past young workers have potentially been priced out of jobs.

§ Mr. Farr
Is my hon. Friend aware that in my constituency a worthwhile youth opportunities programme is being held up by a Government Department being slow in releasing the land? What is the policy on availability of land for such projects?

§ Mr. Morrison
I cannot comment on the situation in my hon. Friend's constituency, but I shall look into it. In general terms it is not a complaint that I have heard.

§ Mr. Douglas
Will the Minister consider the disparity in Scotland because of the differences in the school leaving dates and the take-up on the youth training initiative scheme? What is the position of managing agencies? Should not a good local authority like Fife be allowed to co-ordinate the activities in its area?

§ Mr. Morrison
The MSC is aware of the disparity in Scotland. We wish to adopt as flexible an approach as possible to managing agencies. If a local authority, local education authority or another sort of body wishes to be a managing agent, that is fine.