§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many places have so far been allocated under the community work programme; at what projected cost; if he will merge the funds available to this scheme into the community enterprise programme; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Michael AllisonThe Secretary of State has written to the Manpower Services Commission asking them to work out detailed proposals for a community work programme. We are still awaiting a formal response by the commission and therefore the possibility of merging the community enterprise programme with the new scheme will no doubt have been considered.
As the Chancellor announced in his Budget speech—[Vol. 19, c. 732]—the Government are prepared to finance 100,000 places at a net additional cost of £150 million and would make additional places available if the demand for them was there.
121WA further statement will be made in due course.