§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the longest period of time that (a) a man aged 45 years or more, (b) a women aged 45 years or more, (c) a young man and (d) a young women has been unemployed in Kirkby.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe information requested is not available without excessive cost in staff time.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Employment what evidence he has that employers in Merseyside have been substituting young persons on the youth opportunities programme for full-time adults; and what steps he is taking to prevent this.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonEvidence about substitution derives primarily from national surveys, which cannot be analysed on a regional basis; from allegations from memers of the public; and from enquiries made by the staff of the Manpower Services Commission and of the careers service. The commission's systems of appraisal and monitoring are designed to prevent abuse.