§ 23. Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has considered extending the period that participants spend on the community programme from one year to two years.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Sheerman) on 7 February at c.588.
§ 27. Mr. Hicksasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he remains satisfied with the operation of the community programme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonYes. At the end of January almost 112,000 people were employed on temporary jobs on the programme. This means that within a year the community programme has been more than trebled in size. This enormous success is owed to the efforts of the Manpower Services Commission and of all the sponsors, many of them voluntary bodies, which have organised projects under the programme.