§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has ensured, in drawing up the provisions of the Youth Employment Subsidy Scheme announced on 3rd August 1976, that young people who have taken advantage of the special training and employment schemes sponsored by his Department are not thereby put at a disadvantage in satisfying the six months unemployment rule.
§ Mr. BoothYes; the scheme provides that subsidy is payable in respect of the engagement of young people aged under 20 who have been continuously registered as unemployed for six months or more. For the purposes of the scheme we would allow the following to count as registered unemployment: Full time training under a "TOPS" or similar TSA recognised scheme—ie, where a TSA training allowance has been paid—or under an ITB training award scheme; rehabilitation under an ESA sponsored scheme where allowances have been paid, and time spent under the community industry, job creation, or work experience programmes.