§ Mr. Roweasked the Secretary of State for Employment how much of the total finance of the youth training scheme comes from the European social fund; and what percentage of the total that represents.
§ Mr. GummerThe European Commission has not yet announced its decision of social fund allocations for 1983 for the major youth training programmes, including the youth training scheme. An announcement is expected by mid-January and I shall write to my hon. Friend once the information is available.
§ Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Employment what would be the current level of the allowance paid to trainees on the youth training scheme had the recommendation of the Manpower Services Commission of November 1981, referred to in the report of the youth task group in April 1982, been implemented and if the allowance had subsequently been raised (a) in line with prices and (b) in line with earnings.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonBetween November 1981 and October 1983 the retail prices index increased by 11 per cent. and the average earnings index increased by 16.2 per cent. If a £28 allowance had been raised by the former amount it would be £31.08 and by the latter it would be £32.54. However, the youth task group in April 1982 did not in fact recommend that a rate of £28 a week in November 1981 was the appropriate basis for the payment of the youth training scheme allowance.
§ Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many trainees on the Government's youth training scheme in Coventry, the west midlands and nationally presently occupy places under (a) mode A and (b) mode B; and what are the numbers of places currently unfilled for Coventry, the west midlands and nationally of (a) and (b);
(2) whether, for the purposes of his Department, young people on the youth training schemes who have an allowance negotiated above the stipulated level of £25 a week are regarded as employees.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.