§ Mrs. Knightasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many firms have applied for grants under the special scheme to deal with youth unemployment; how much money has been paid; and if the scheme is still in operation.
§ Mr. GoldingI have been asked to reply.
I regret that the information is not available in the precise form requested.
During the life of the recruitment subsidy for school leavers from 13th October 1975 to 30th September 1976 30,179 applications were approved in respect of young people entering employment. Actual expenditure was £3.7 million.
As at 18th November 1977 29,494 applications had been approved under the youth employment subsidy scheme, which replaced the recruitment subsidy for school leavers in 1st October 1976, at an estimated cost of £6.5 million. Actual expenditure so far is £3.4 million. The scheme will operate until 31st March 1978.