§ Ms. PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the progress of research into the viability of extending action credit to five employment service areas; and if he is considering alterations to the current pilot scheme.
§ Mr. EggarA draft report on the reactions of long-term unemployed people to the action credit concept is due in June 1990.
I have no plan to alter the current pilot scheme.
§ Ms. PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether refusal of a place on action credit could constitute a failure to avail oneself of an employment opportunity.
§ Mr. EggarParticipation in employment with action credit, which is for less than 24 hours a week, is entirely voluntary. Refusal of a place, therefore, could not be regarded as neglecting to avail oneself of a reasonable opportunity of employment.