§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for Employment what assistance he proposes to give to the Careers Service to enable it to cope with extra work in connection with the youth opportunities programme of the Manpower Services Commission.
§ Mr. BoothIn June 1977 when I announced the Government's decision to ask the Manpower Services Commission to operate the youth opportunities programme I said that in view of the extra work falling on the Careers Service we should be providing an additional 170 unemployment specialist posts on top of the extra 320 posts already agreed and a new allowance for clerical support in respect of all these posts. I also said that I would keep the position under close review as the programme developed.
It is now clear that the Careers Service will need further posts to help it cope with its part in the youth opportunities programme and I am arranging, together with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, for a further 150 unemployment specialist posts to be provided, making a. total of 640 in all, plus clerical support.
The cost can be met by reallocating employment programme spending priorities. Any extra expenditure this year will be met within existing cash limits.