§ 13. Mr. GaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will make a statement on the workstart pilot scheme established for east Kent.
§ Mr. Gillian ShephardI have asked the employment Service for a detailed plan for the pilot scheme in east Kent by 7 May. I expect the first participants to be employed in June.
§ Mr. GaleMy right hon. Friend will understand that in north-east Kent we very much appreciate her 843 Department's recognition of our real needs. We hope that this measure will be followed by other Government measures to enable us to compete on equal terms with northern France for inward investment. Does my right hon. Friend understand that my constituents and the businesses that I represent, together with those represented by my hon. Friends the Members for Thanet, South (Mr. Aitken) and for Canterbury (Mr. Brazier), are greatly looking forward to taking part in the scheme? Will she try to find time to visit it herself once it is up and running?
§ Mrs. ShephardI can assure my hon. Friend that I shall attempt to visit at an early stage all the pilot areas where workstart is to take place.