HC Deb 12 November 1984 vol 67 cc100-1W
Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of women employed on the Manpower Services Commission's community programme; what percentage of the total community programme work force are women; and, of these, how many were in receipt of benefit before joining the scheme.

Mr. Peter Morrison

[pursuant to his reply, 9 November 1984, c. 28]: Information is collected monthly about entrants to the community programme. Over the 12 months up to 28 September, 23 per cent. of entrants were woman; a total of 34,450. Over 85 per cent. of entrants were themselves in receipt of benefit immediately before joining the programme and, on the basis of a sample survey of participants in October 1983, just over half of those not receiving benefits directly would be women. However, some would be indirect recipients and in the rule changes to the programme which came into effect on 1 October, we provided that where unemployment or supplementary benefit is claimed by the head of the household and includes an element of payment for an unemployed spouse, that spouse will be regarded as a benefit recipient for the purposes of eligibility.