§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have applied for early retirement under the job release programme, and what has been the cost.
§ Mr. GoldingUp to 9th May 1978, 25,505 applications have been approved under the job release scheme. The value of the allowances paid in the 1976–77 financial year was £1,638,000 and in the 1977–78 financial year £15,326,000.