§ Mr. John Evansasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people received assistance from his Department under the employment transfer scheme for each quarter from 30 June 1978 to 30 September 1980.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the information requested is as follows:
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Quarter ended and Number of eligible applicants who started work during the quarter 30 September 1978 6,598 31 December 1978 6,353 31 March 1979 4,375 30 June 1979 3,948 30 September 1979 2,485 31 December 1979 1,716 31 March 1980 1,636 30 June 1980 1,545 30 September 1980 1,556 The reduction in numbers receiving assistance is the result of the changes to the scheme detailed in my earlier reply.
§ Mr. John Evansasked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the reductions, in real terms since May 1978 in money spent by his Department on enabling people to travel to find work.
§ Mr. Jim LesterThe precise information requested is not available. However, I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the expenditure on all transfer schemes since the year ending 31 March 1978 is as follows:
Year ending 31 March Actual expenditure 1980 survey prices 1978 £11.9m £14m 1979 £10.2m £10.8m 1980 £7.2m £7.2m 1981 (estimated) £4.5m £3.6m
§ Mr. John Evansasked the Secretary of State for Employment what instructions have been issued by his Department to local employment offices and jobcentres since May 1979 regarding the application of the employment transfer scheme.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the rules of the employment transfer scheme are kept under review and when changes are made instructions are sent to employment offices and jobcentres. Nearly all of the changes made since May 1979 have been of minor significance but designed to clarify the eligibility conditions and to meet changing circumstances.