§ Miss Maynardasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much subsidy is going into agriculture via the work experience programme; and how much of this is being used towards training for proper skills, within the structure of the wages board.
§ Mr. GoldingI have been asked to reply.
I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission—MSC—that up to 31st December 1977, 1,208 schemes offering 1,648 places had been approved in agriculture, forestry and fishing. Unemployed young people on work experience schemes are paid a standard weekly allowance of £19.50 by the sponsor who is later reimbursed in full by the MSC. There is no other financial contribution made by the MSC under the programme.
Work experience schemes are designed to provide a realistic introduction to working life and are not meant to provide formal training.