§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Employment what currently is the total number of youth opportunities programme and special temporary employment programme placings in the development and special development areas.
§ Mr. Jim Lester[pursuant to his reply, 1 December 1980]: I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that it is not possible to provide figures on the youth opportunities programme (YOP) in the precise form requested.
Some 3,000,000 young people are expected to enter YOP in 1980–81. About 58 per cent. of these would be in special programmes areas which are wholly or partially within development or special development areas.
As regards STEP, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question on 27 November. At the end of October 91W there were just under 11,000 people in employment supported under STEP in special development areas, development areas and designated inner urban areas. I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that it cannot provide occupancy figures for each of the three categories.
§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether statistics are available in his Department as to the allocation of selective temporary employment premium and youth opportunities programme placing in travel-to-work areas.
§ Mr. Jim Lester[pursuant to his reply, 1 December 1980]: I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission's (MSC) special programmes division, which administers the youth opportunities programme (YOP) and the special temporary employment programme (STEP), that statistics are not available on this basis.