HC Deb 20 March 1984 vol 56 cc410-1W
Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table similar to that contained in the review of community industry of April 1981 showing for the most recent period for which statistics are available the net weekly costs per place in community industry and in the comparable sections of the youth training scheme.

Mr. Peter Morrison

Detailed information on the unit costs of the different types of youth training scheme provision will not be available before the summer.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people are currently employed by community industry; and how these figures compare with the numbers so employed in 1981 and 1979.

Mr. Peter Morrison

In February 1984, 6,988 young people were employed on the community industry scheme. The figures for February 1981 and 1979 were 6,149 and 5,130, respectively.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how the value in real terms of the gross wage paid to 16 and 17-year-olds employed by community industry has changed since the scheme began.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The present wage levels of 16 and 17-year-olds employed on the community industry scheme are £29.70 and £33, respectively. In relation to the growth in prices this represents 77 per cent. and 72 per cent.respectively of the real level of the allowance in 1972.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will support the expansion of community industry in Yorkshire, Humberside and the Rotherham metropolitan borough.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The level of local community industry provision within the national total of available places is a matter for negotiation between community industry and the relevant local authorities.