HC Deb 05 July 1979 vol 969 cc667-9W
Mr. Foster

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether the Manpower Services Commission plans to reduce the number of courses in colleges of further education for youth opportunities programme participants.

Mr. Jim Lester

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that there is no planned intention to reduce the number of courses in colleges of further education for youth opportunities programme participants. The off-the-job learning element of the youth opportunities programme should fulfil the individual needs for the young person and can be given by any competent provider. At the present time 23 per cent. of YOP participants undertake some form of off-the-job learning. The Manpower Services Commission is planning to increase this percentage as soon as possible.

Mr. Foster

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total number of participants in the youth opportunities programme from 1 April 1978 to 31 March 1979; and what proportion of participants progressed to a second module of the programme.

Mr. Jim Lester

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 28 June 1979], gave the following answer:

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that 162,200 young people entered the youth opportunities programme during its first year of operation. It is estimated that, nationally, about a fifth of all young people entering the programme progress to a second or subsequent opportunity.

Mr. Foster

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report for each Manpower Services Commission special programmes division area (a) the number participating in youth opportunity programmes from 1 April 1978 to 31 March 1979, (b) the proportion progressing to a second module in the programme and (c) the total number eligible to leave school at the age of 16 years during 1978–79.

Mr. Jim Lester

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 28 June 1979], gave the following answer:

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the number of young people entering the youth opportunities programme in each special programmes area during the year 1 April 1978 to 31 March 1979 was as follows:

Area and Estimated Entrants
London 4,500
High Wycombe 2,900
Horsham 2,900
Ipswich 4,400
Southampton 3,100
Bristol 5,200
Exeter 7,600
Birmingham 6,900
Coventry 1,700
Nottingham 7,100
Wolverhampton 8,800
Liverpool 17,400
Manchester 9,000
Preston 3,500
Leeds 5,300
Sheffield 4,900
Hull 5,100
York 900
Cardiff 7,000
Swansea 3,200
Wrexham 4,700
Sunderland 10,000
Carlisle 1,800
Middlesborough 10,700
Edinburgh 7,200
Glasgow 13,300
Dundee 900
Dunfries 900
Inverness 1,300

Information about the proportion of young people progressing to a second opportunity and about the number of 16 year-olds eligible to leave school in 1978–79 is not available for special programmes areas.

Mr. Foster

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report for each local education authority area (a) the number participating in the youth opportunities programme from 1 April 1978 to 31 March 1979, (b) the proportions progressing to a second module of the programme, and (c) the total number eligible to leave school at the age of 16 years during 1978–79.

Mr. Jim Lester

, pursuant to his reply[Official Report, 28 June 1979], gave the following answer:

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the information requested under (a) is available only at disproportionate cost and that information requested under (b) and (c) cannot be obtained.