§ 53. Mr. Allan Rogersasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made in developing appropriate educational opportunities for the unemployed 17 to 19-year-olds.
§ Sir Keith JosephColleges of further education provide a wide range of courses for young people including the unemployed. Many young people who are unemployed and wish to study part-time can benefit from the so-called 21-hour rule which enables them, under certain conditions, to retain their entitlement to benefit whilst studying. I recognise that this could be of particular value to young people leaving the youth training scheme without a job and wishing to continue their education and training. The opportunities offered by the 21-hour rule have been under study through a research project, funded by my Department and subsequently by the Department of Health and Social Security; and I intend to keep this matter under review.