§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he proposes any changes affecting the benefit entitlements of 16 and 17-year-olds.
§ Mr. FowlerI have no proposals at present for changes in benefit entitlement as part of the current plans for expanding the youth training scheme. It is, however, the aim of this expansion to provide a guaranteed opportunity of appropriate training for young people of this age who are not in work or in full-time education. The benefit position will be given further consideration in the light of progress towards this objective, taking into account also any wider changes in the benefit system which may follow from the present social security review. The Government's objective is to ensure that unemployment need not be an option for this age group.