§ Mr. Craigenasked the Paymaster General what representations he has received about extending the length of time an individual could be employed in the community programme for up to two years; and what consideration he is giving to the merits of the proposals.
§ Mr. LangI have received a number of representations from hon. Members and others about the normal length of participation allowed on the community programme.
The period of employment for participants is normally limited to one year and I have no present plans to change this arrangement. However, managers, supervisors and other key workers may be retained where there are no suitable replacements from amongst eligible long-term unemployed people and we are currently considering the recommendation in the report "Value for Money in the Community Programme" that managers and supervisors should be retained for two years as a matter of course.