§ Lord Bleaseasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will publish details concerning the number of young persons under the age of 18 in Northern Ireland who have been "recruited" into permanent employment under the Young Workers' Scheme from (a) the 8,500 applicants received on the 6th May 1983, and (b) the 700 applicants on the 3rd June 1983 (as stated by the Department of Economic Development); and what measures are undertaken to ensure that persons recruited under the scheme are employed "at realistic wage levels".
§ The Earl of MansfieldAll of those young people in respect of whom Northern Ireland employers have applied for assistance under the Young Workers' Scheme have been recruited into permanent employment, since that is one of the primary conditions of the scheme.
The scheme is designed to encourage employers to recruit more young people at wage rates which reflect their comparative lack of experience. Wages paid are checked to ensure that the average gross wage paid does not exceed £45 per week.