HC Deb 14 November 1985 vol 86 cc229-30W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Paymaster General why no figures are yet available for 1984 regarding the availability for work test; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alan Clark

This information is now available and shows that in 1984 more than 49,000 claims for unemployment benefit were disallowed on availability grounds.

The two-year youth training scheme is a major advance, in which voluntary organisations have an important role. We believe the arrangements we have made, with the agreement of the voluntary organisations, will enable and encourage them to participate fully.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement concerning the future of the Moss Side youth training scheme.

Mr. Trippier

The Moss Side training workshop at present operates in the youth training scheme under the sponsorship of the Greater Manchester council. In view of the abolition of metropolitan borough councils from 1 April next year, a new sponsor for the training workshop will have to come forward if it is to continue in the new two year youth training scheme. The Manpower Services Commission is aware of the need for high quality training in the Greater Manchester area and is urgently considering what it can do to help the Moss Side training workshop continue in operation under the new two-year scheme.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

asked the Paymaster General how many people entered youth training schemes in each local authority area in Greater Manchester; and how many people completed the scheme in mode A and mode B in the last two years.

Mr. Trippier

The table below gives details by mode of young people entering and completing the youth training scheme in each local authority district of Greater Manchester during 1983–84 and 1984–85. The figures for completions in 1984–85 include young people who started training in 1983–84 and finished their course in 1984–85. Similarly many young people entering schemes in 1984–85 will not complete their training until 1985–86.