§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the running costs of the Henley-in-Arden camp; how many workers there have been in the camp in each of the past three years; what was the cost in each of those years; what courses are provided; and what similar institutions exist.
§ Mrs. Chalker[pursuant to the reply, 12 December 1980, c. 837]: Henley-in-Arden is one of 17 centres run by the Department to provide re-establishment courses in accordance with section 30 and schedule 5 of the Supplementary Benefits Act 1976. All the centres cater for day attenders and three, including Henley-in-Arden, also provide residential courses.
The object of these courses is to help long-term unemployed men who have lost the self-assurance, drive and dependability necessary to obtain and keep a job. A relatively unpressurised working environment is provided for up to 13 weeks, within which men undertake a programme of work within their capabilities. The main activity is simple woodwork requiring only the basic element of carpentry instruction. Some centres, including Henley, also provide gardening, plant cultivation and concrete work. No specific trades or skills are taught. Men can be referred to the Manpower Services Commission if specific training seems appropriate.
The costs of running the Henley-in-Arden re-establishment centre, and the number of unemployed men attending, in the last three complete financial years were as follows:
Cost Number attending £ 1977–78 85,983 280 1978–79 94,421 373 1979–80 115,897 386