HC Deb 23 November 1971 vol 826 cc334-5W
Mr. Tugendhat

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement of his policy towards the proposal made to him by the National Association of Youth Clubs for special work groups of young unemployed people.

Mr. R. Carr

The National Association of Youth Clubs has put forward a proposal for an experimental scheme for employing young people on work of social value, especially in the environmental and community fields. The aim is to see what scope there is for organised arrangements designed to bring together young people who are having difficulty in finding steady employment, and work of lasting value which would not otherwise be done. I have agreed to make £½ million available for this scheme. It will be run by the N.A.Y.C., which will work in close co-operation with local authorities and others concerned. It is intended to select for the experiment six places in development or intermediate areas. The scheme is being introduced on a pilot basis for 12 months and will then be reviewed to see what lessons can be drawn.