§ Mr. Freemanasked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress has been made on the plan to increase the size of the community programme.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonOur aim is to complete the planned expansion of the community programme to 230,000 filled places by the end of May 1986. The Manpower Services Commission has been asked for its views on the best means to distribute available places and will be making a considered response as soon as possible. In the meantime, I have agreed with the Manpower Services Commission that it should seek to achieve by the end of December 1985 the following level of places:
Region Target for December 1985 London 13,500 South East 15,700 South West 11,170 Midlands 32,640 Wales 12,610 North West 30,200 Scotland 24,880 Northern 18,000 Yorkshire and Humberside 21,300 180,000