§ Mr. HealeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people his Department is committed to employing during 1998 under(a) the subsidised job option and (b) the unsubsidised job option of the New Deal programme. [52575]
§ Mr. SpellarMy Department is committed to making an appropriate contribution to the New Deal programme both on the Service and Civilian networks.
448WAlthough the Services are not committed to employing specific numbers of young people through the unsubsidised job option, they are working closely with New Deal personal advisers and Further Education Colleges to identify what self-development is required to make young people more confident and self reliant, and thus influencing their choice of career towards the Armed Forces. The Services are not employing young people through the subsidised job option.
On the Civilian side, New Deal opportunities are considered whenever recruitment campaigns are undertaken. Responsibility for recruitment is delegated to line management areas. We will be monitoring use of the scheme and expect details of the first 6 months to be available from October.