HC Deb 31 July 1984 vol 65 cc213-4
11. Mr. Allan Rogers

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if the Government have any plans for an expansion of employment measures along the lines of the job release scheme.

Mr. Alan Clark

The current job release schemes are due to end on 31 March 1985. The position after that date is under consideration, and an announcement will be made later in the year.

Mr. Rogers

Does the Minister accept that the job release scheme is one of the best and most popular of the Government's employment measures and that it was a retrograde step recently to raise the age of participation from 62 to 64? As the possibility of the scheme being ended next year is viewed with alarm on the Opposition Benches, will he reconsider his decision on the scheme?

Mr. Clarke

I welcome the hon. Gentleman's endorsement of the scheme, which has been extremely successful. At present, 91,000 people are in receipt of the allowance, and there are still 300 applications a week. However, the hon. Gentleman will recognise that it is a matter of judgment where resources in the special employment measures, which total £2 billion, are best allocated. For example, if they are devoted to the enterprise allowance, there is a likelihood of jobs being generated as well as simply replaced on a one-for-one basis.

Mr. Latham

Is my hon. Friend aware that some, at least, of his hon. Friends regard this as an extremely useful, cost-effective and popular scheme and that, far from being discontinued, it ought to be extended?

Mr. Clark

As I said to the hon. Member for Rhondda (Mr. Rogers), it is a matter of judgment how resources are allocated. The cost of the scheme is £3,250 per person per year. The part-time job release scheme remains in existence under the old age eligibility criteria.