§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Employment, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South on 14 July regarding £56,435 given in 1979–80 to the British Youth Council, through the Manpower Services Commission, what specifically this was for; and how much his Department is giving the British Youth Council in the current year.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that in 1979–80 funds totalling £56,435 were allocated to that part of a project known as "Into Work" sponsored by the British Youth Council and not to the British Youth Council itself as I indicated to my hon. Friend earlier. The aim of "Into Work" is to involve young people in the design and delivery of the youth opportunities programme by encouraging them to make their views, aspirations and interests known so that the Commission can respond sensitively in the development of the programme. "Into Work" consists of a central unit which supports three "Into Work" areas: South London, East Cornwall, and North Tyneside.
In its first phase commencing April 1978 the whole of the "Into Work" project was sponsored by the British Youth Council, but from the beginning of its second phase (August 1979) only the central unit has been sponsored by the BYC, the three area components being sponsored by local organisations.
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Skillcentre and Skillcentre Annexe Course Places YORKSHIRE Bradford … Bricklaying … … 14 Carpentry and Joinery … … 14 Fitting Machine Tool Maintenance … … 8 Heavy Vehicle Repair and Maintenance … … 24 Motor Vehicle Body Repair … … 12 Motor Vehicle Spray Painting … … 12 Motor Vehicle Repair and Maintenance … … 24 Radio, Television and Electronic Servicing … … 12 Typewriter Repair and Maintenance … … 12 Welding Electric Arc (Plate) … … 12 Miscellaneous Engineering … … 10 Wider Opportunities Course … … 24 Storekeeping … … 1 The figure of £56,435 for 1979–80 therefore covers the period April to July 1979 when the British Youth Council was responsible for the whole of the "Into Work" project, and the period August 1979 to March 1980 when it was responsible for the central unit alone.
Neither my Department nor the MSC is providing any funds to the British Youth Council in the current year, but the MSC will continue to fund the central unit. In the period April 1980 to January 1981 (closure date) the estimated budget for the central unit is £30,366.—[Vol. 988 c. 457–460.]