§ Mr. Alexanderasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will arrange for the special temporary employment programme providing aid for women's refuges, to be continued after the end of 1980.
§ Mr. Jim Lester[pursuant to his reply, 27 March 1980, c. 532]: I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission (MSC) that schemes which satisfy the programme criteria may be approved under the special temporary employment programme (STEP) in special development areas, development areas and designated inner urban areas where the programme will continue to operate in 1980–81. STEP is reviewed annually and the MSC may only authorise funding of schemes for periods of up to 12 months at any one time.