§ Miss Boothroydasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many schemes and individual places have been approved by the Manpower Services Commission's programme dealing with the youth unemployment special temporary employment premium and the youth opportunities programme in the Sandwell area since 1st April ; how many of these have been sponsored by (a) the local authority, (b) firms and (c) voluntary bodies ; and if he is satisfied with the response so far.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that, since 1st April 1978, 258 schemes comprising 617 places for young people and 12 for adults have been approved under the youth opportunities programme in the Sandwell area up to the end of October. Of these schemes, 21 have been sponsored by the private sector, giving 418 places for young people, 13 schemes have been sponsored by local authorities giving 41 places and voluntary organisations have sponsored one scheme giving one place. A total of four schemes have been approved 287W in Sandwell under the special temporary employment programme for adults between 1st April 1978 and the end of October, creating a total of 17 jobs. Two schemes have been sponsored in the private sector, creating 14 jobs: no schemes have been sponsored by local authorities or voluntary organisations in the Sandwell area.
The Government and the Manpower Services Commission are grateful to employers, local authorities and voluntary organisations for the help they have given in sponsoring schemes in Sandwell, but they are also conscious that more needs to be done in the area for school leavers still unemployed, especially for those whose need of help is greatest. Any further assistance from potential sponsors would be greatly appreciated.