HC Deb 12 July 1976 vol 915 c39W
Mr. Steen

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) when the Youth Service Forum for England and Wales will be established; and by whom;

(2) what are the criteria for membership of the Youth Service Forum;

(3) what proportion of the Youth Service Forum will be young people under the age of 26 years;

(4) what is the nature of the representation of the Youth Service Forum; and who will chair it;

(5) what organisations will be represented at the Youth Service Forum; and how they will be chosen.

Mr. Gerry Fowler

With the approval of my right hon. Friend, I reached agreement in principle on 12th May with representatives of statutory and voluntary youth interests on the broad constitution of the forum, of which it is proposed that I should be chairman.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a consultative paper circulated to those involved for comment by 31st July; this proposes the establishment of the forum by the end of the year and sets out the constitution. Membership has been designed to ensure representation of both statutory and voluntary providers and of young consumers. I have proposed that young people under 26 should comprise not less than one-third of the permanent membership.