§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the working of the job creation scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GoldingYes. Since the programme was launched in October 1975 it has provided nearly 70,000 temporary jobs, mainly in areas of high unemployment, for people who would otherwise have been unemployed. Three-quarters of those working on projects are young people between 16 and 24 years of age. The Government has allocated a total of £130 million to enable application to be accepted up to 31st August 1977, by which time over 90,000 jobs will have been provided. The future of job creation is currently being reviewed by the Manpower Services Commission.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report the job creation projects proposed or under way on Merseyside, indicating the number of jobs involved in each project.
§ Mr. GoldingI regret that the information required cannot be obtained except at a great cost because so much is being achieved. I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that nearly 600 projects are under way or proposed in the Merseyside area, involving about 7,300 jobs.
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§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total cost of the job creation scheme on Merseyside to the latest available date.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that, to date, £14.2 million has been allocated to projects approved under the Job Creation Programme in the Merseyside area.