§ Mr. Lewis Stevensasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what will be the functions of, and the staffing resources available to, the new youth service unit; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Keith JosephThe unit will be responsible for advising Ministers on youth service policy issues, including the allocation of the grants made direct by the Department in this field. Six and a half members of the214W Department's staff, in full-time equivalent terms, have direct responsibility for these youth service matters, and these will form the staff of the new unit. In addition, Her Majesty's Inspectorate is involved with youth service matters and other staff within the Department have separate responsibilities directly relevant to the youth service including, for example, arrangements for youth exchanges and vocational education for young people. The new unit will have access to the full range of the Department's supporting services. I believe that it will be helpful to those outside the Department in the youth service field to know that there is a specific unit dealing with their concerns.