Mr. Ron Brownasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received representations from Edinburgh and district trades council about the number of places available on the community programme in Lothian and the Borders; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. LangNo representations have been received by my Department from the Edinburgh and district trades council concerning the number of Community Programme places which are available in Lothian and the Borders.
The community programme continues to be successful in meeting its principal objective of providing a year's work experience for as many long-term unemployed people as possible within the available resources, thereby increasing their chances of finding a permanent job.