§ 47. Mr. Scottasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he plans to continue the job release scheme beyond 31 March 1980; and if he will make a statement on the current operation of the scheme.
§ 52. Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have retired early under the terms of the job release scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ 62. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a statement about the current operation of the job release scheme.
§ Mr. Jim LesterA decision about the future of the job release scheme will be made as part of the annual review of the special employment and training measures which is now in progress. Such a review has been the practice since the scheme's inception. Decisions will be announced as soon as possible before 31 March 1980.
Up to 7 November 1979, 97,722 applications under the scheme had been accepted in Great Britain.
With regard to the current operation of the scheme, I refer my hon. Friends to the reply that my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Mr. Bowden) earlier today.