HC Deb 23 February 1987 vol 111 cc87-8W
Ms. Clare Short

asked the Paymaster General if he will give full details of current cutbacks in the community programme by region and type of scheme.

Mr. Lee

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Dunfermline, East (Mr. Brown) on Thursday 19 February. Places are allocated between schemes at local level in the light of both national priorities set out in planning guidance for 1987–88 and priorities determined locally by area manpower boards, which will pay particular attention to improving the quality of opportunity to long-term unemployed people.

Ms. Clare Short

asked the Paymaster General if he will provide full details of the proposed cuts in community programme places in Kent.

Mr. Lee

On 30 January 1987, the latest date for which statistics are available, community programme schemes in Kent had 3,412 filled places, some 300 more than their formal 1986–87 allocation of 3,104. For 1987–88 it is proposed that the average filled place allocation over the year should be 2,800. This will be subject to discussion in the context of planning generally with the local area manpower board.