HL Deb 08 August 1980 vol 412 cc1772-3WA
Lord SANDFORD

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will indicate the percentages of places, provided in the various sections of the Youth Opportunities Programme, that are in fact taken up by young unemployed people and to compare those percentages with the year before.

The MINISTER of STATE, DEPARTMENT of EMPLOYMENT (The Earl of Gowrie)

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the latest available information relating to the total numbers of approved and therefore potentially available places and places actually occupied (filled places) under the Youth Opportunities Programme in June this year with corresponding figures for the last year is as follows:

(Excluding Adults)

made. There is also seasonal fluctuation in both availability of places and in entry patterns particularly in colleges of further education. In addition many schemes require a considerable build up between places being approved and becoming available. The peak occupancy rate on all schemes normally occurs in the autumn and a stock of places has to be held to cope with this surge in demand.