§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will take steps to permit and encourage the creation of permanent facilities such as youth clubs, retirement pensioners' centres and other welfare facilities using the pool of unemployed in the areas concerned as part of a more flexible approach going beyond the current limits of the Job Creation Programme.
§ Mr. GoldingI have at present no plans to increase the provision made for creating jobs and facilities of this type, beyond that currently available under the Job Creation Programme. I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the programme, which provides short-term jobs of community benefit for unemployed people, has funded a 619W number of such projects. However, as JCP is a temporary scheme, support under the programme must be limited to the period for which each project is approved.
§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will increase the funds available for the Job Creation Programme to allow for a greater proportion to be spent on capital equipment.
§ Mr. GoldingNo.
§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will seek to permit and encourage permanent community-based bodies such as advice and aid centres or help for handicapped or disadvantaged groups as part of the Job Creation Programme.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that, as the Job Creation Programme is a temporary scheme due to end on 31st March 1978, the encouragement of community-based bodies and help for the handicapped and other disadvantaged groups must be limited to the period for which each project is approved. However, charitable and other voluntary organisations have sponsored about 30 per cent. of projects approved to date under the programme, many of which provide advice and aid for handicapped or disadvantaged groups.
§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Employment for each of the regions in the job creation scheme, how many jobs have been sponsored by area arts councils.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that regional arts associations have sponsored projects under the Job Creation Programme in two areas, providing 18 jobs in the North-West and seven jobs in Merseyside.