§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what allocation of community programme places has been afforded to Barnsley in the last 12 months, specifying the numbers that have also been allocated to Barnsley district trades council.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonPlaces on the community programme are allocated to the Wakefield area, which comprises Wakefield, Barnsley and Doncaster. The number of filled places over the past 12 months has varied but has been higher than is strictly warranted by its incidence of long-term unemployment. The current allocation is 2,650. Of these, approximately one-quarter are allocated to projects in the Barnsley local authority area. The project run by Barnsley district trades council has 22 places.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions are taking place between his Department and the Manpower Services Commission to increase community programme places, especially in the Barnsley area; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonMy right hon. Friend set out our current plans for the development of the community programme in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Norfolk (Mr. Ryder) on 30 July at columns121–122. We have previously guaranteed its future until at least October 1986.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Employment why the Manpower Services Commission is refusing applications from trade councils for an increased share of community programme places; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe Manpower Services Commission area manpower boards consider all proposals to fund community programme projects in the light of guidance about the priorities for selection, the number of places available in each area and the needs of local long54W term unemployed people. No distinction is made between applications from trades councils and those from other organisations.