§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to draw in extra-mural departments of universities and colleges to assist in the Job Creation Programme.
§ Mr. GoldingThe Manpower Services Commission, which administers the Job Creation Programme, welcomes assistance 237W from all departments of universities and colleges, a number of which are currently sponsoring projects.
§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Employment if a job, sponsored by the North-West Arts Association, has been created by the job creation scheme which will allow a community musician to produce music from scrap metal and old bicycle wheels; what wage is paid for this job; and whether unanimous approval was given to this job by the North-West Committee of the job creation scheme.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that a project sponsored by the North-West Arts Association under the Job Creation Programme has provided eight jobs, the purpose of which is to develop community interest in the arts, particularly among school-children. The job descriptions did not specifically mention activity of the kind described in the question, but it is understood that the employee concerned has sometimes used this method to stimulate the interest of young people in different kinds of music and in various methods of creating musical sounds. All employees on the project are paid £56 per week. The project had the full agreement of the North-West Area Action Committee.
§ Mr. Joplingasked the Secretary of Stale for Employment how many jobs have been created, to the latest convenient date, in the Cumbria County Council area, under the job creation programme; who are their sponsors; and what is the total sum made available to each project.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that up to 31st May 1977 grants have been made under the Job Creation Programme amounting to £2,677,064 for 242 projects to create 2,228 jobs in the Cumbria County Council area.
I regret that details of all individual projects could not be published without disproportionate cost to public funds.