HC Deb 24 January 1977 vol 924 cc451-4W
Mr. Litterick

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the procedures which enable community project workers to appeal against regional committee decisions which affect their jobs and the purposes of their projects; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Golding

Yes. I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the director of the Job Creation Programme is always willing to consider representations from project workers about decisions made by area action committees affecting their employment.

Mr. Litterick

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many community projects within the Birmingham region have been or are being terminated because of intangible results achieved so far.

Mr. Golding

None, although notice of termination was given in one case but later withdrawn.

Mr. Litterick

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what wage rates are currently being paid to workers engaged on the Leamington Bath Place community project, under the Manpower Services Commission job creation scheme; and what are the rates currently being paid to workers employed in similar work in Coventry under the same sponsorship.

Mr. Golding

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that there is no similar Job Creation Programme project in Coventry under the same sponsorship and that the wage rates currently being paid to workers engaged on the Leamington Bath Place project are as follows:

per week
Project administrator £45
Coffee bar assistant £30
Playgroup workers £20
Playgrounds assistants £20

Mr. Litterick

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his Department's policy on the period of notice required to terminate the employment of workers engaged on community projects under the job creation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the policy of the Manpower Services Commission Birmingham Committee in this respect.

Mr. Golding

It is the policy of my Department to encourage job creation sponsors to give the maximum possible period of notice of termination of employment. Such notice should not be less than the minimum period required under current legislation. This policy is also followed by the Manpower Services Commission and the Job Creation Programme area action committees, including the Midlands committee.

Mr. Litterick

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the decision prematurely to terminate the Bath Place community project in Leamington, which is funded by the Manpower Services Commission under the Job Creation Programme, as part of the public expenditure cuts policy; and whether any similar projects have been terminated or reduced for this reason.

Mr. Golding

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that, in the light of further information provided by the sponsor, it has been decided to allow the Leamington Bath Place Community Project to continue until 31st March when it is due to be completed. No projects have been prematurely terminated because of public expenditure cuts.

Mr. Litterick

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if it is the policy of his Department to discriminate financially between those community projects which are funded wholly by the Manpower Services Commission as part of the Job Creation Programme, and those with multiple source funding; and if he will make a

Wages Council Date of First Meeting Date of Publication Date of taking effect
Hat, Cap and Millinery 5th January 1976 5th March 1976 1st April 1976
Retail Newsagency, Tobacco and Confectionery (Scotland) 7th January 1976 30th January 1976 5th April 1976
Perambulator 19th January 1976 6th February 1976 26th April 1976
Unlicensed Place of Refreshment 3rd February 1976 12th March 1976 26th June 1976
Road Haulage 4th February 1976 5th March 1976 29th February 1976
Cotton Waste Reclamation 10th February 1976 5th March 1976 28th April 1976
Retail Drapery, Outfitting and Footwear 12th February 1976 7th May 1976 7th July 1976
Sack and Bag 24th February 1976 19th March 1976 12th July 1976
Lace Finishing 1st March 1976 23rd March 1976 26th June 1976
Rope, Twine and Net 17th March 1976 22nd June 1976 26th July 1976
Toy Manufacturing 23rd March 1976 9th April 1976 23rd June 1976
General Waste Reclamation 29th March 1976 23rd April 1976 28th July 1976
Aerated Waters (Scotland) 8th April 1976 21st May 1976 10th May 1976
Hairdressing 3rd May 1976 8th June 1976 5th July 1976
Retail Newsagency etc. (England and Wales) 11th May 1976 11th June 1976 30th June 1976

statement on the atttitude of the Manpower Services Commission Birmingham Area Committee to the Leamington Bath Place community project.

Mr. Golding

No. However, the Commission has to be satisfied that there is no duplication of public funding. I understand that the Midlands area action committee decided to terminate the Leamington Bath Place project prematurely on the grounds that the conditions for receiving the grant were not being fulfilled. In the light of further information and assurances from the sponsor this decision has been withdrawn and the project is now to continue until 31st March 1977 as approved originally.

Mr. Litterick

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many community projects are currently being funded by the Manpower Services Commission as part of the Job Creation Programme.

Mr. Golding

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that 3,702 projects are currently being funded under the Job Creation Programme.