§ Ms AbbottTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many places were offered on the business start-up scheme in 1992–93; how many places have been taken up in the current financial year; how many of the additional 10,000 places the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Budget statement he now expects will come on stream; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeIn 1992–93 there were 35,337 places available on the programme in England. Latest information for 1993–94 shows that, to 10 October 1993, there were 18,254 programme entrants. Of the additional 10,000 starts on the programme 8,580 were allocated to England. Of those 8,580, a total so far of 5,850 have been contracted with training and enterprise councils to be taken up in this financial year. Information for Scotland and Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales.