§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has held discussions with trade unions or others with a view to making participation on the community programme compulsory; whether he intends to increase the financial inducements of participation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThe community programme will be replaced by employment training from 5 September. There are no plans to change the financial arrangements relating to the programme before then or to make it compulsory. There have been no discussions with trade unions or others on these matters recently.
§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what measures he has taken to encourage the participation of voluntary organisations in the community programme; and whether he will seek means of further encouraging such participation.
§ Mr. NichollsThe community programme will be replaced by the new adult training programme, employment training, from 5 September 1988. The voluntary sector has played an important part in the success of the community programme and I hope that most existing managing agents and sponsors will move forward into employment training.