§ Mr. Fosterasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many homes of the elderly, poor and handicapped have been insulated under the Manpower Services Commission's special temporary employment programme and community enterprise programme; and if there are any plans for the extension of this scheme.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe information requested is available only at disproportionate cost to both the Manpower Services Commission and to sponsors of schemes that have undertaken insulation work under these programmes. About 40 schemes employing just under 600 people were sponsored under the special temporary388W employment programme. The community enterprise programme has been operating only since 1 April. It is not known how many insulation schemes are supported under it though we have asked the Manpower Services Commission to give special emphasis to schemes of this nature, and it is part funding a National Council of Voluntary Organisations initiative designed in part to promote suitable community enterprise programme schemes.