HC Deb 24 January 1984 vol 52 cc760-1
13. Mr. Greenway

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how much has been spent in the current year on the youth training scheme; out of what level of allocation of Government funds; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Tom King

By the end of November 1983 some £457 million had been spent against an allocation of £852 million for youth training in 1983–84. The final outturn for the year is still uncertain, although it is now clear that not all of the resources originally allocated will be required.

Mr. Greenway

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on the increasing take-up of the scheme. Will he use money that will not be spent on it to increase the fee paid to local education authorities from £14.70, which they are finding impossibly low to run college courses for the youth training scheme? Will he allocate any other money that is left over to the community programme?

Mr. King

I am grateful for my hon. Friend's support for the scheme. People who have seen it in operaton—I have had a chance to visit several schemes—have been enormously impressed by the effort that has been made and by the interest that is being taken in it, especially by employers. I note my hon. Friend's point and will look into it.

Mr. John Fraser

If there is a substantial amount of money left over from the youth training scheme, might the Secretary of State's Department give it to the Department of the Environment to make up the shortfall of money for boroughs such as Lambeth, which is doing a great deal to train people in areas where there is massive unemployment?

Mr. King

The hon. Gentleman might tempt me on to country that I know rather too well, so I do not think that I shall trespass on it today.