§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many workers have qualified for allowances and grants under the Key Workers Scheme; and what has been the cost to public funds in each year since the scheme was introduced.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that statistics of the number of workers who have qualified for assistance under the scheme are available only for the period 1st March 1965 to 30th September 1976. Details of expenditure are available only in respect of the calendar years 1973 to 1975 inclusive. The information available is given in the table below.
Period Number of workers Expenditure £ 1st March 1965—31st December 1967 774 — 1968 372 — 1969 438 — 1970 724 — 1971 779 — 1972 827 — 1973 708 335,974 1974 703 335,557 1975 545 529,545 1st January 1976—30th September1976 286 —