§ Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in the Official Report (a) the number of projects and (b) the number of jobs created under the job creation programme for each year since October 1975; and if he will denote the average life for each project and the number of projects currently in operation.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that from 9th October to the end of 1975, 359 projects were approved creating 4,977 jobs; in 1976 5,349 projects were approved creating 52,810 jobs and, from 1st January 1977 the 611 projects approved to date have created 5,684 jobs. The average duration of projects is 30 weeks and there are 3,950 projects currently in operation.
§ Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish details of the two experimental projects aimed at stimulating the growth of new permanent employment opportunities in situations where major companies have significant manpower reductions in prospect which are commented upon in paragraph 4.53d of the Manpower Services Commission's report "Towards a Comprehensive Manpower Policy".
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that suitable opportunities for mounting such experimental projects are under active consideration but no firm decision has yet been reached.
§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his latest estimate of the number of people employed through the job creation programme.
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§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that 50,300 jobs have been provided on projects which have started under the Job Creation Programme. The number of people actually employed is not readily obtainable but the figure is known to be somewhat higher because some of the jobs have been occupied by more than one person during the life of the project.