§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a statement on the new scheme for encouraging voluntary work by unemployed people, as announced by the Prime Minister on 27 July 1981, Official Report, c. 836.
§ Mr. TebbitI have approved a scheme proposed by the Manpower Services Commission after consultation with voluntary organisations. This voluntary service scheme, which will be run by the Manpower Services Commission378W under its powers in the Employment and Training Act, is designed to generate a variety of voluntary activities. These activities, directed to training for or obtaining work, include local community work projects which could be undertaken without affecting an unemployed person's entitlement to benefit, and adult education classes for unemployed people, including literacy and basic skills. As announced by the Prime Minister, £8 million is available for this scheme in 1982–83. Future support will be decided in the light of the response to the scheme.
The Manpower Services Commission will announce further details shortly.