§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Employment, whether, further to his reply of 24 March to the hon. Member for Isle of Ely, he will publish in the Official Report the number of employment opportunities to be created by the youth opportunities programme in 1981–82 which will be within the Wisbech employment office area; what percentage of the total jobs under the youth opportunities programme for 1981–82 this represents; and what were the corresponding figures for 1980–81.
§ Mr. Peter Morrison[pursuant to his reply, 30 March 1981, c. 13–14.]: The youth opportunities programme does not create employment opportunities. It creates opportunities for young people to prepare for permanent future employment through work preparation courses, and work experience schemes. While on the programme, the young people receive an allowance. Information is not held in the form requested. Plans for the youth opportunities programme are available only down to Manpower Services Commission area office level. The 116W Ipswich area office—which covers Wisbech employment office area—plans for 13,700 entrants to the YOP in 1981–82, which represents 3 per cent of the expanded national total. For 1980–81, Ipswich area office planned for 10,450 entrants, which also represented 3 per cent. of the national total.