§ 21. Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for Employment what reports he has received on the operation of the trial scheme in the West Midlands for phasing out unemployment benefit for those formerly unemployed starting their own businesses.
§ Mr. WaddingtonI assume my hon. Friend is referring to the pilot trial of the enterprise allowance scheme, which is currently being run in the area covered by Coventry city council. I am satisfied with the progress of this pilot trial.
At the end of October a total of 520 applications had been received in this area and 366 people were in receipt of the allowance.