§ Mr. Concannonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many places are available on the youth opportunities programme; and how many of them are currently taken up.
§ Mr. Adam ButlerThe number is 10,536, of which 9,452 are currently taken up. There is always a difference between available places and the number actually filled as it is not always possible immediately to replace a trainee who has completed his course, or period of work experience, with a new entrant. This difference is accentuated in an expanding programme where there is constant pressure not only to replace trainees leaving existing places, but also to fill new places as they are developed.