§ Mr. Stuart Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether non-qualifiers for youth training scheme schemes lose their supplementary benefit if scheme managers cannot accommodate them.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonNo. Young people are liable to have their benefit reduced only if they unreasonably refuse or leave a place on the youth training scheme.
§ Mr. Stuart Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) whether the Manpower Services Commission increases available places on schemes for non-qualifiers and non-examinees;
(2) whether additional support will be made available by Manpower Services Commission inspectors and their auditors for youth training schemes with a large intake of non-examinees or non-qualifiers.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI am satisfied that there are sufficient places on the youth training scheme to cater for the whole ability range, including those with no academic qualifications, and that the various methods of funding available offer the flexibility needed to accommodate those trainees who require extra help.
§ Mr. Stuart Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Employment what provision the Manpower Services Commission is taking to enable young people with disabilities to be encouraged to join youth training schemes in cases where they are non-examinees.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe youth training scheme is open equally to all eligible young people, including those with disabilities and those without formal educational qualifications. Disabled youngsters are, of course, eligible to enter the scheme up to the age of 21. The Manpower Services Commission has introduced various measures to enable those who need special help to gain maximum benefit from the scheme, and has produced publicity material to encourage them to participate.