§ 45. Mr. Wallaceasked the Secretary of State for Employment what future role he envisages for the regional and social funds of the European Community in tackling unemployment in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. GummerThe European social fund makes an extremely welcome and valuable contribution to national efforts to tackle unemployment, and we expect this to continue.
The United Kingdom was allocated some £321 million in 1983 from the fund, including over £200 million towards the cost of the youth training schemes operated by the Manpower Services Commission. The social fund tackles unemployment in a practical way by concentrating its support on training in new skills, particularly for young people and those involved in new technology. Support is also concentrated in those regions most in need of help.
The regional development fund also makes a considerable contribution, but this is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.