§ Mrs. Clwydasked the Paymaster General what assessment he has made of the number of people currently on the community programme who would otherwise be registered as unemployed; and what was the comparable figure 12 months ago.
§ Mr. LeePeople entering the community programme have to satisfy certain eligibility criteria, which includes being unemployed, depending on age, for varying periods of time.
During the 12 months ending 31 October 1986, the latest date for which statistics are available, the number of 116W entrants on to the programme was 301,791. Of these 96.3 per cent. were directly in receipt of unemployment, supplementary or other appropriate benefit. The corresponding figure for the period ending 31 October 1985, was 196,551 of whom 95.4 per cent. were directly in receipt of benefit.