§ Sir Hector Monroasked the Paymaster General whether he is satisfied that the Christmas undertaking under the youth training scheme that all unemployed minimum age school leavers would be offered a suitable place by Christmas 1985 has been met; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierI am very pleased to say that the Government's undertaking has been effectively met for the third successive year. There are around 300,000 young people on the youth training scheme and on 3 January only 2,290 youngsters were waiting for the offer of a place. The comparable figure for the previous year was 3,850.
This is another excellent achievement by all concerned —the Manpower Services Commission, the careers service, employers, trade unions, local authorities, colleges and voluntary organisations—and I am grateful for their support and commitment. I very much look forward to this continuing under the new two year scheme to be introduced in April.
The enthusiasm of young people for the youth training scheme is clearly demonstrated by these figures, and I am confident that the new scheme will be equally popular with them.