§ Mr. Batisteasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the take-up of the enterprise allowance in terms of numbers of applicants and total costs for the last year on a regional basis.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe number of successful applicants taken on to the enterprise allowance scheme in each region between 1 August 1983, when the scheme was introduced nationally, and 31 March 1984 is as follows:
627W
Number London 2,531 Southern 4,368 South West 2,222 Midlands 5,051 North West 5,196 Northern 1,562 Yorkshire and Humberside 2,568 Wales 1,882 Scotland 2,249 Total 27,629 The total cost of the scheme in the financial year 1983–84 was just over £23 million, excluding administrative costs. This figure includes a small amount in respect of payments made to those who joined the scheme before August 1983 when it was confined to five pilot areas. An analysis of costs on a regional basis is not readily available.