HC Deb 19 October 1982 vol 29 cc217-9
9. Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on progress towards the establishment of the new youth training scheme in 1983.

Mr. Peter Morrison

Following my right hon. Friend's announcement in the House on 21 June about the new youth training scheme, the Manpower Services Commission is now working urgently on the detailed planning of the scheme and is making good progress.

Mr. Marlow

Will my hon. Friend confirm that there are certain parts of the country where it will be more difficult to establish the youth training scheme? I am thinking of the rural and border areas. Will he say what special measures are proposed to ensure that the scheme gets off to an excellent start in those areas as in other parts of the country?

Mr. Morrison

I agree with my hon. Friend that there will be greater difficulties in the rural areas where the larger companies are not established. It is in these areas that we shall see the role of the managing agents proving much greater.

Mr. Hardy

Is the Department considering the serious and developing anxiety, which is becoming acute in areas of high unemployment, that the scheme might assist 16-year-olds but will put those slightly older at a severe disadvantage? Will he accept that there is a real danger in those areas that we may take one step forward, but that the Government's proposal may mean that we take two back?

Mr. Morrison

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that this is a development of the youth opportunities programme. As he rightly says, it will enormously help the 16-year-olds. My right hon. Friend has announced the new community programme for those aged 18 and over.

Mr. Latham

Will my hon. Friend discuss the introduction of this scheme carefully with his colleagues in the Ministry of Defence? Is he aware that there are Ministry of Defence workshops with significant under-capacity in terms of young trainees, including one in my constituency, and that I very much hope that he will do something about this?

Mr. Morrison

As my hon. Friend knows, I am aware of the circumstances in his constituency. Certainly, the Ministry of Defence sponsors schemes in its civilian establishments, and I expect the conversations between us and it to continue.

Mr. Barry Jones

Is it not inconsistent to propose to operate the young workers scheme with its £260 million budget alongside the new training scheme when the young workers scheme in no way provides training for young men and women leaving school? Would it not be better to give that money to the new training scheme as the MSC task group has suggested? Will the Minister give a specific answer to the question about the 17-year-olds? What do the Government intend to do for unemployed youngsters aged 17?

Mr. Morrison

I believe that the young workers scheme is entirely compatible with the youth training scheme, as I am sure that the 100,000 or so on the young workers scheme would agree. With regard to the 17-yearolds, the hon. Gentleman will be aware that the original undertaking related to unemployed 16-year-olds, but so far as is possible it will be extended to unemployed 17-yearolds within the £1,000 million budget.