§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Employment what consultations have taken place between the Manpower Services Commission and trade unions concerning the proposed closure of the Liverpool return and learn scheme.
§ Mr. AlisonManpower Services Commission officials have not held any discussions with the relevant trade unions. It is the responsibility of Liverpool city council, as sponsor, to consult the trade unions about this community enterprise programme project, which is due to close on 31 March, and about any successor project under the community programme.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Employment how much funding has been made available by the Manpower Services Commission to the Liverpool return and learn scheme from May 1979 to the latest available date.
§ Mr. AlisonDetails of Manpower Services Commission funds made available to the "Return and learn" project are provided in the following table:
362Wworkers. Some estimates of the numbers of home workers in wages councils trades were included in the memorandum submitted by the Department to the Employment Committee and published in the minutes of evidence taken before the Employment Committee—Tuesday 24 February 1981. HC Paper 188-i.
- (a) May 1979—March 1980: £224,559.
- (b) April 1980—March 1981: £147,497.
- (c) April 1981—March 1982: £215,000
- (d) April 1982—December 1982: £245,413.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the working of the Liverpool return and learn scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonThis project has given valuable work experience to 60 recently qualified teachers and basic education to some 800 unemployed young people. I hope that it will prove possible to continue funding of this project under the community programme in order to provide valuable assistance to unemployed people in Liverpool.