§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Paymaster General how many jobclubs have been established at jobcentres in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on what they have achieved in securing employment for the longterm unemployed.
§ Mr. LeeOn 3 December 1986, 303 jobclubs were open for business. In the period from 7 April 1986 to 7 November 1986, 9,372 people passed through jobclubs. Of these, 61 per cent. obtained jobs. A further 14 per cent. found temporary work on the community programme or took up a training place or the enterprise allowance scheme.
The success record of jobclubs is impressive and we have asked the Manpower Services Commission to expand the jobclub network to 1,000 by March 1987 and, if the need continues, to 2,000 by September 1987.