HC Deb 12 May 1987 vol 116 cc166-7W
39. Mrs. Clwyd

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement concerning the progress of Government schemes to help the unemployed move in order to find jobs.

Mr. Lee

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Jarrow (Mr. Dixon) on 4 March at column566.

Mr. Allen McKay

asked the Paymaster General what funds he proposes to allocate to each of the Government's employment creation programmes in 1987–88; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

In 1987–88 the Government expect to spend over £3,000 million on employment, enterprise and training measures subject to Parliamentary approval. Full details for each measure were published in Class VII of the main estimates on 17 March. A copy is in the Library.

Mr. Hawksley

asked the Paymaster General how many people received help under the enterprise allowance scheme in the Telford area in the year ended 31 March 1987.

Mr. Trippier

The information is not available in the form requested. However, in Shropshire, which includes Telford, 812 people joined the enterprise allowance scheme in the year ended 31 March 1987. There were 770 people in receipt of the allowance on 31 March 1987.

Mr. Nellist

asked the Paymaster General what measures his Department is currently introducing to reduce the level of unemployment in Coventry.

Mr. Lee

We shall continue to pursue sound economic policies for steady growth and low inflation which have so far produced more than a million new jobs since 1983. As part of this overall policy my Department and the Manpower Services Commission operate over 30 employment, enterprise and training measures which are described in the Action for Jobs booklet. With the exception of the career development loans scheme, which is currently being piloted in selected localities, all these measures are available in Coventry. My right hon. and learned Friend recently announced expansion of the very successful Inner Cities Initiative which will also benefit the unemployed in Coventry where one of the new task forces will operate.