§ Mr. Marksasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many modes B1 and B2 youth training schemes have been approved in each of the regions;
(2) how many mode A youth training schemes have been approved in each of the regions.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonFinal approval of most schemes to operate from September will take place nearer the time. There has been a very encouraging response so far from potential sponsors.
§ Mr. Marksasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the persons in the north-west region who have applied to operate mode A youth training schemes.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI am afraid that this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will introduce legislation to apply the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to all youth opportunity programme entrants and those on work experience on employers' premises and other similar Manpower Services Commission schemes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerYoung people on the Manpower Services Commission's youth opportunity programme and similar schemes are already effectively covered by the 1974 Act, even though they are not employees. This is because sections 3 and 4 of the Act deal specifically with non-employees and these sections are broadly similar to the duties to employees specified in section 2 of the Act. In addition sponsors are required by the Manpower Services Commission to give an undertaking that these young people will not be treated less favourably than their own employees.
52Wthe latest available date and in May 1979 for (a) the west midlands, (b) the black country area of the west midlands and (c) the Walsall travel-to-work area; and if he will give the percentage unemployed then and at the present time; and the change in percentage terms for unemployment between May 1979 and the present time for these three parts.
§ Mr. AlisonThe following table gives the figures for registered unemployed at May 1979 and October 1982 and the figures for unemployed claimants at October 1982 and February 1983. The figures include school leavers and are not seasonally adjusted.
§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what procedures are followed by the Manpower Services Commission before persons on training schemes such as the youth opportunities programme are allowed on industrial premises, to ensure that such premises and any machinery used are safe;
(2) what safeguards are required to ensure that Manpower Service Commission trainees are given full instructions in all safety aspects before using machinery of any sort.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.