HC Deb 28 March 1985 vol 76 cc287-8W
Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many community programme places were being supported in the Leicester travel-to-work area for each of the last 12 months for which statistics are available; of these places, how many were full-time; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's statement on 21 March 1985 at columns 1024–5 about our plans to expand the community programme from 130,000 to 230,000 places by June next year. The numbers of filled places being funded under the community programme in particular travel to work areas is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Available information relates to Leicestershire and is as follows:

1984 Full-time Part-time Total
March 468 774 1,242
April 491 773 1,264
May 508 812 1,320
June 562 873 1,435
July 529 884 1,413
August 543 894 1,437
September 522 904 1,426
October 530 940 1,470
November 530 998 1,528
December 542 1,016 1,558
1985
January 572 1,005 1,577
February 570 984 1,554

Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of people on the community programme get jobs afterwards.

Mr. Peter Morrison

Sample survey evidence indicated that when interviewed eight months after leaving the programme a third of former participants had a job, and a further 5 per cent. were in training.