§ 8. Mr. Wattsasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the take-up of the enterprise allowance scheme since its expansion nationwide; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkBy 7 February 1984, 24,272 people had joined the enterprise allowance scheme. This response has been most encouraging. As I announced in November, we are extending the scheme into the coming financial year and will provide resources for a further 35,000 unemployed people to receive the allowances.
§ Mr. WattsI welcome that encouraging reply. What plans does my hon. Friend have to give further publicity to the availability of the scheme, as I find that many constituents who might benefit from it are unaware of its existence?
§ Mr. ClarkThe success of the scheme, which has been one of the most important in generating jobs and in laying the foundations for future commercial and industrial enterprises, is such that it is substantially oversubscribed. To advertise its merits further would not be a prudent use of taxpayers' money.
§ Mr. RogersIn view of earlier optimistic answers by the Secretary of State, will the Minister tell us what proposals his Department has to import immigrant labour to meet the labour shortage in Britain?
§ Mr. ClarkI do not quite see how that matter arises on a question about the enterprise allowance scheme, but were such people to be imported they would not be eligible until they had fulfilled the various criteria relating to benefit.