HC Deb 18 December 1984 vol 70 c109W
35. Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many long-term unemployed people have become ineligible for community programme schemes since 1 October as a result of not being in receipt of benefit.

37. Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why the Manpower Services Commission is restricting community programme places to those dependent on benefits.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I refer the hon. Members to my reply to the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Sheerman) on 9 November at columns 27–28.

38. Mr. Haynes

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received concerning the recent changes in community programme regulations.

Mr. Peter Morrison

We have received some 200 letters concerned with the change to the eligibility criteria for the community programme. I have also met Lady Platt, chairman of the Equal Opportunities Commission, and I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Mr. Wareing) earlier today.

56. Mr. Yeo

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to expand the numbers of people within the community programme.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply by my right hon. Friend on 30 July, at columns 121–22.

59. Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a statement on the progress of the community programme.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The community programme continues to make good progress. At the end of October some 126,000 people were taking part.

65. Mr. O'Brien

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about training in the community programme.

Mr. Peter Morrison

My right hon. Friend announced on 30 July, at column 122, the Government's decision that, as part of the adult training strategy, participation in the community programme, which provides temporary jobs for long-term unemployed people, would be linked with short courses of work preparation and basic skills training. The Manpower Services Commission has begun to set up such courses and we anticipate that some 50,000 community programme clients annually are likely to benefit when the arrangements are fully developed.