HC Deb 05 February 1981 vol 998 cc173-4W
Mr. John Grant

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will state the number of available places under the community industry scheme for 1979–80, 1980–81 and 1981–82 (a) in total and (b) in Islington;

(2) what is the maximum quota of places allowed for community industry units on a regional basis for 1980–81 and 1981–82.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The number of available places on the community industry (CI) scheme for 1979–80 and 1980–81, in total, and for the CI unit covering Camden and Islington, is as shown in the following table:

Total Camden and Islington
1979–80 6000 75–100
1980–81 6000 80–100

The maximum quota of places allocated by CI to its units on a regional basis for 1980–81 is as shown in the further table, below:

Scotland 1460
Wales 715
Northern 1075
Yorkshire and Humberside 955
North-West 950
Midlands 635
South-West 150
London 575
South-East 100
Total 6615

CI operates a policy of flexible regional and area complements which allows it to vary the distribution of places. The regional figures shown above therefore represent the maximum number of places by region, and in total exceed the national complement of places available at any one time.

My right hon. Friend announced on 21 November, following a review of all special employment and training measures for the unemployed, that the Government will expand the CI scheme by 1000 places bringing the national complement to 7000 places in 1981–82. CI is now considering the distribution of the extra places in 1981–82, and I will inform the hon. Member when decisions have been made.