§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much public money has been given to the Newcastle trades council unemployment centre and when; whether public money is still being paid to the Newcastle trades council unemployment centre; and, if not, for what reasons payments have been discontinued.
§ Mr. KingThe Newcastle trades council centre for the unemployed was established in 1978, with the Manpower Services Commission meeting staff costs, and other expenses being met by the local authority. For 1979–80, funding was given as part of the Newcastle/Gateshead 301W inner area programme. The total approvcost for the year, on which central Government pay 75 per cent. urban programme grant, is £15,600. Urban programme funding is stopping at the end of the current financial year on the grounds that the centre largely duplicates existing statutory services and has little direct relevance to the Newcastle/Gateshead partnership strategy.