§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will set out the number of community programme places allocated to each employment district indicating how far over or under target each district was at the end of 1983;
(2) if he will set out the criteria on which district allocations of community programme places have been made, the organisations or individuals whom he consulted in drawing up those criteria and when they will next be reviewed.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonStatistics on the allocation of places to employment districts are not maintained centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Places on the community programme are allocated to regions broadly according to the incidence of long-term 796W unemployment. The same general principle is then applied by each region in the distribution of places to particular areas. Variation between regions and areas in the initial response to the programme has led to some temporary redistribution in order to ensure a speedy take-up of available places. The need for consultation has therefore not arisen, but my right hon. Friend has the benefit of the views of the Manpower Services Commission and is always willing to take account of any other views which may be expressed.
The regional position on 20 December was as follows:
Community Programme: Regions A B C Filled Places on 20 December Filled Place ceiling Col. A as a percentage of B London 5,345 10,500 51 South East 8,994 11,700 77 South West 5,551 7,670 72 Midlands 24,460 25,640 95 Yorkshire and Humberside 13,414 14,300 94 North West 19,644 21,200 93 Northern 12,224 12,500 98 Wales 9,091 9,610 95 Scotland 16,259 16,880 96 TOTAL 114,982 130,000 88