§ Dr. Godmanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in the Greenock travel-to-work area between the ages of 40 and 50 years are presently unemployed but engaged in retraining programmes.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe precise information requested is not available, but at 30 March 1985, 11 unemployed people aged between 40 and 50 years were undertaking retraining on programmes run by the Manpower Services Commission in Inverclyde and Renfrew districts. In addition, some long-term unemployed people in temporary jobs funded under the community programme in these areas will be receiving training.
§ Dr. Godmanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to increase the allocation of community programme places in Inverclyde.
§ Mr. Allan StewartI refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Employment to the hon. Member for Dunfermline. East (Mr. Brown) on 25 March.
§ Dr. Godmanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that the training in new technologies available under the youth training scheme in Inverclyde is adequate to meet the demand.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe provision of new technology training through the Youth Training Scheme—YTS—is adjusted each year in relation to the local demands of industry and young people. More than 300 YTS places available to young persons in Inverclyde involve significant elements of training in new technologies. In addition, all YTS trainees receive an introduction to computer literacy and information technology during their training programmes.
§ Dr. Godmanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in the Greenock travel-to-work area have received the enterprise allowance since its inception; how many are presently in receipt of the allowance; and how many continue trading after 18 months.
§ Mr. Allan StewartI regret that the information is not available in the precise form requested. In the Greenock travel-to-work area, 178 people joined the enterprise allowance scheme from August 1983 until 17 April 1985. A total of 106 people were receiving the allowance at the latter date.
Information on how businesses fare when payment of the allowance ceases is not yet available for the scheme nationally, but experience in the pilot areas suggests that about 70 per cent. of all businesses supported were still trading 18 months after joining the scheme.