HC Deb 02 March 1983 vol 38 c177W
37. Mr. Craigen

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what initiatives he has in mind to increase employment opportunities in Scotland.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

Our present economic strategy offers the best hope of long-term improvement in employment prospects but in the meantime we have substantially expanded the special employment and training measures to help those worst affected by unemployment. The youth opportunities programme has been expanded to cater for around 70,000 entrants in Scotland in 1982–83; the youth training scheme due to be introduced in September 1983 will provide training and work experience for 16-year-olds both unemployed and in employment, as well as unemployed 17-year-old school leavers; and by September 1983, the community programme will provide opportunities for 23,000 adults.