§ Mr. Nobleasked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress is being made by the Manpower Services Commission towards the objective of making an offer of a place in the youth opportunities programme to every 1978 school leaver who is still unemployed by Easter 1979.
§ Mr. Golding:From the start of the youth opportunities programme in April this year the Manpower Services Commission has given high priority to securing the objective that no young person who left school in Easter or summer of 1978 and who remains unemployed 0at Easter 1979 shall be without the offer of a suitable opportunity within the programme. I have recently reviewed with the chairman of the Commission the progress being made towards this objective. It is clear that the efforts of area boards, MSC staff, the careers service and the education service and the sponsors have resulted in good progress. In most parts of the country we can already forecast the objective can certainly be met. In certain areas of very high youth unemployment, particularly Liverpool and parts of inner London, where the needs are great but potential sponsors for the youth opportunities programme are fewer than elsewhere a considerable task remains. I am satisfied that the MSC, together with the careers service and the area boards, is doing everything possible to meet the objective in these areas also. We are very grateful to those trades unions, employers and voluntary bodies which have supported schemes under the programme. I am keeping developments under close review and will consider sympathetically any proposals from the Com- 422W mission for any special action needed to give effect to the Easter objective in any locality in which difficulties may be encountered.