HC Deb 02 April 1985 vol 76 cc1050-1
6. Mr. Woodall

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to extend the scope of the job release scheme.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. Alan Clark)

As I announced to the House on 15 March, changes to the part-time job release scheme will be introduced from 29 April to make it more attractive to both employers and employees. The rules will be more flexible and a grant of £840 will be payable to an employer supporting a successful application for part-time job release.

Mr. Woodall

Does the Minister not agree that increasing the age of eligibility for men from 62 to 64 was a grave mistake, in view of the Government's insistence that unemployment should not be the only option for young people and the fact that they are presiding over record dole queues? Would it not be better to allow men aged 62 and over to take early release so that jobs could be made available for young people who hitherto have not had a chance under the Government?

Mr. Clark

All our special measures are governed by judgments about priorities and about where the emphasis should best be placed. That is why we have introduced and improved the part-time scheme, which covers the very age groups to which the hon. Gentleman rightly considers we should give consideration.

Mr. Latham

Will my hon. Friend keep this matter carefully under review? Many of my hon. Friends believe that improvement of the scheme goes very well with expansion of the community programme and the YTS, as it will ultimately help young people to get jobs.

Mr. Clark

I appreciate my hon. Friend's concern. Reducing the age makes it less easy to monitor the replacement condition, which is one of the most important aspects of the scheme if the taxpayer is to get good value.

Mr. Canavan

As this incompetent Government have increased unemployment by 73 per cent., will the Minister consider extending the job release scheme to the entire Tory Cabinet?

Mr. Clark

I shall not be drawn on the question of reshuffles. However, I believe that not many members of the Cabinet fulfil the age criteria for the scheme.