§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for Employment if it is the policy of the Manpower Services Commission when making grants under the job creation programme for enterprise workshops and co-operatives to take steps to draw attention to the existence of such projects to branches of nationalised industries working in and around the locality with a view to obtaining work contracts for such workshops and co-operatives.
§ Mr. GoldingNo. I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the responsibility for obtaining work contracts for enterprise workshops, including co-operatives, funded under the job creation programme rests with the project sponsor.
§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps are taken to assess the likelihood of enterprise workshops and co-operatives funded under the job creation programme becoming self-financing when the funding ends.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that before enterprise workshop projects, including co-operatives, can be sponsored for funding under the job creation programme, sponsors must provide estimates of cash flow and revenue, together with evidence of markets for their products. Other factors taken into account include the nature of the product or service and the possible effect of the proposed project on permanent employment in the area. Sponsors must also show that they are able to raise capital for costs not covered 451W by the JCP grant and that their projects will have adequate resources of experience and ability for proper management and marketing.