HC Deb 12 December 1983 vol 50 cc327-8W
Mr. Maude

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what effect recent statements on funding for the community programme will have on projects already started, and on projects approved but not yet under way, in the financial years 1983–84 and 1984–85.

Mr. Peter Morrison

As my right hon. Friend announced on 16 November—[Vol. 48, c. 481–82]—the Manpower Services Commission will be carefully controlling the filling of places in what remains of this financial year in order to remain within the revised cash limit. Projects which have already started will be unaffected, except that there may be some difficulty or delay in filling additional places or places falling vacant. The same will apply to the filling of places on projects which have been approved but have not yet got under way. The programme will continue on the basis of 130,000 filled places in the financial year 1984–85.

Mr. Mason

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he proposes to increase the £60 per week community programme worker's average earnings.

Mr. Allen McKay

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he intends to increase the £60 per week community programme average earnings in line with the Government's guidelines.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I refer the right hon. and hon. Members to my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Eltham (Mr. Bottomley) on 16 November.—[Vol. 48, c. 481–82.]

We have no plans at present to increase the average wage.

Mr. Mason

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the estimate of man jobs being provided under the community employment programme for 1984–85; and what is the breakdown into full-time and part-time placements;

(2) how many man jobs have been created in the community employment programme during 1983–84; and what is the breakdown into full-time and part-time placements;

(3) how many man jobs were created under the community employment programme during 1982–83.

Mr. Peter Morrison

By the end of March 1983, a total of 57,602 places had been approved on the community programme including the community enterprise programme. Of these, 39,527 places had been filled. At the end of October 1983, 106,121 places were filled on the programme of which 37,385 places were full-time and 69,083 were part-time. The target for 1984–85 remains at 130,000 filled places. It is estimated that approximately 70 per cent. of these will be part-time.

Mr. Allen McKay

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons were employed under the community programme 1982–83 as (a) full-time supervisors, (b) part-time placements and (c) administrators.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I regret that the information is not available in the form requested. By the end of March 1983, 39,527 people were employed on the community programme, including the community enterprise programme. Of these, 27,986 were in full-time jobs and 11,541 were in part-time jobs.

Mr. Allen McKay

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons it is estimated will be employed under the community programme in 1984–85 as(a) full-time supervisors, (b) part-time placements and (c) administrators.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I regret that the information is not available in the form requested. The target for 1984–85 remains 130,000 filled places. It is estimated that approximately 70 per cent. of places will be part-time.