§ Mr. LeightonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what would the community enterprise programme wage be now had it been increased in line with inflation since its inception.
§ Mr. NichollsThe maximum average wage payable to adult employees on the community enterprise programme was £83 per week at its inception in April 1981. This would have risen to £116.60 per week if the programme still existed and the wage had risen in line with inflation.
The community enterprise programme was superseded by the community programme in October 1982.
§ Ms. ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether community programme workers joining after 1 March and eligible to transfer to the new adult employment training scheme in September will incur benefit penalties if they leave at the end of their period of six months on wages.
§ Mr. NichollsI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Worsley (Mr. Lewis) on 24 March 1988, at column 164.
§ Mr. LeightonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment why the MSC has withdrawn funding and support for the training programme for black community programme managers in Birmingham; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsA training course to help black people to set up as independent sponsors of projects under the community programme commenced on 10 August 1987. The course is jointly sponsored by the MSC, Handsworth task force and the city of Birmingham local authority. The MSC has not withdrawn funding. The course reached its scheduled completion date on 6 May 1988.
The MSC is arranging for the trainees involved in this course to be employed by community programme sponsors.