§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received about the Manpower Services Commission's practice of paying local authorities in arrears in compensation for money paid out under employment schemes; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter Morrison:Representations have been received in recent months from associations representing local authorities in England: and Wales, and in Scotland, asking that local authorities be allowed to claim reimbursement of expenditure on special employment measures and on the youth opportunities programme more frequently than quarterly in arrears. Ministers have considered the local authority representations and the Secretary of State has written to the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission to give the commission authority to make reimbursement one month in arrears. The commission will accept: claims for reimbursement on this basis from 1 November 1982.