HC Deb 27 April 1987 vol 115 cc21-2W
Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Paymaster General when he expects to increase the maximum community programme wage for labourers.

Mr. Lee

We keep under review the maximum level of wages which can be reimbursed under the community programme and make changes when this would improve the cost-effective use of taxpayers' money. There are no plans at present to increase the maximum level of reimbursement of wages for participants.

Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Paymaster General how many community programme places in the Borders region are expected to be lost as a result of new Manpower Services Commission restrictions on approved places and average occupancy rates.

Mr. Lee

It is proposed that the average number of filled places for the Borders region in 1987–88 shall be 261, compared to 282 during 1986–87.

Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on Government policy towards reductions in Manpower Services Commission community programme projects in the Borders area in 1987–88.

year from 1984. This comparison is affected by the change in the timing of the compilation of the count in March 1986.

Mr. Lee

In 1987–88 the community programme will provide jobs for 300,000 people, the same number as in 1986–87. The programme will operate at an average level of about 245,000 filled places over the year, slightly below the current level of 248,000 filled places. At the same time the Manpower Services Commission is seeking to ensure that places are as far as possible targeted on those areas of greatest need and this means that some shifts in the geographical distribution of places will occur. In the Borders area places have been allocated according to the distribution of the numbers of long-term unemployed people within Scotland. This means that there will be an average filled place allocation of 261 places for 1987–88 compared to 282 places during 1986–87.

Mr. Craigen

asked the Paymaster General when he expects to reply to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Maryhill's letter of 20 March regarding the Manpower Services Commission's community programmes in inner-city areas in Scotland.

Mr. Lee

I shall be replying to the hon. Member shortly.