HC Deb 23 April 1985 vol 77 cc398-9W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to review the decision that persons not in receipt of state benefits should have a low priority for participation in the community programme.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I keep under close review the characteristics of those entering and participating in the community programme but I have no plans to change the present eligibility criteria.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has concerning the numbers of individuals who would otherwise be entitled to participate in the community programme, but who are prevented from doing so because they are not in receipt of state benefits.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Sheerman) on 9 November 1984 at columns27–28.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give a breakdown by region of the numbers of individuals currently taking part in the community programme who were formerly in receipt of supplementary benefit; and in each case what percentage of the total regional participants in the programme this figure represents.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I regret that the information is not available in the precise form requested. Information on the percentage of entrants in each region who were previously in receipt of unemployment or supplementary benefit is set out in the table:

Region Percentage of entrants in receipt of benefit in last 12 months to 29 March 1985 Per cent.
London 87.9
South East 88.4
South West 92.9
Midlands 92.2
Wales 93.6
North West 91.4
Scotland 91.4
Northern 89.9
Y/H 91.0
Great Britain 91.0

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give a breakdown by region of the numbers of males and females currently taking part in the community programme.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I regret that the information is not available in the precise form requested. Information on the percentages of males and females entering the programme in each region is set out in the table:

Percentage of males and females entering the programme in the last 12 months to 29 March 1985
Region Males per cent. Females per cent.
London 69.4 30.6
South East 74.0 26.0
South West 78.9 31.1
Midlands 78.6 21.4
Wales 83.3 16.7
North West 77.8 22.2
Scotland 79.3 20.7
Northern 77.4 22.6
Y/H 77.1 22.9
Great Britain 77.4 22.6