HC Deb 26 October 1987 vol 121 cc120-1W
Mr. Wray

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what specific projects he proposed in order to provide for the training, job creation, sport and cultural recreation of Scottish young people to discourage migration south of the border and to ameliorate its effects.

Mr. Lang

The Government have introduced a wide range of measures to improve and expand training provision and strengthen the employment prospects of young people in Scotland. With the guarantee of a YTS place for all 16 and 17-year-olds no one under 18 need be unemployed. Other measures include the new job training scheme which is primarily geared to the training needs of young people between the ages of 18 and 25; the expansion of the number of places available under the enterprise allowance scheme and the support to employers through the new workers scheme.

We channel aid for sport through the Scottish Sports Council which will receive £4.7 million in the current financial year including provision for promotional work to increase levels of participation, particularly among the 13 to 24-year-old age group. We promote cultural activities through the Scottish Arts Council, which will receive £14.1 million in the current financial year and through a range of organisations some of which, like the Scottish Youth Theatre and the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, are particularly for young people.

Mr. Wray

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will seek advice from experts, specialised bodies, trade unions, churches and others in order to establish an all-party and Scottish approach to the problems of migration of young Scots to the south and abroad.

Mr. Rifkind

No.

Mr. Wray

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it a priority to give practical support to the efforts of scientific, artistic, musical and sporting organisations to attract, train and occupy young people.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The Government support many organisations in all fields making efforts to attract, train and occupy young people.

Mr. Wray

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to support a research programme for the building of low cost, durable, publicly owned homes, with basic amenities, shopping and recreational facilities, for single young people.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Guidance on housing for young and other single people was published three years ago in the Scottish Housing Handbook No. 7 "Housing for Single People, Shared Accommodation and Hostels". That guidance was based upon Scottish Office research. In addition, a research report "Housing Conversion to meet changing Needs in the Public Sector", issued by the Building Directorate of the Scottish Office in July, described alternatives to new building, including discussion and examples of provision for single people through adaptation.

I have no plans at this time for further research into this type of housing.

Mr. Wray

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has had talks with the regional and local authorities in Scotland in order to co-ordinate a programme for cultural, educational and scientific activities of Scottish young people in the next four years, aimed at providing them with positive alternatives to drug abuse, hooliganism and at alleviating the impact of unemployment.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

No.