§ Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate the level of allowance which would be paid to youngsters on youth training schemes if that allowance had been increased, since the inception of such schemes in 1978, by (a) the rise in prices and (b) the rise in average earnings.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonBetween April 1978 and September 1984 the general index of retail prices increased by 82.7 per cent. and between April 1978 and August 1984 the average earnings index increased by 103.5 per cent. If
994Wthe April 1978 allowance of £19.50 had been increased by the former amount, it would now be £35.63 and by the latter it would now be £39.68.
§ Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Employment if, in view of indications that expenditure on the youth training scheme in 1984–85 may be less than allowed for, he will now substantially increase the allowance paid to trainees.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonNo.