§ Mr. HealeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [52590]
§ Mr. DewarThe Scottish Office has developed New Deal proposals to employ 50 people under the subsidised job option. We are aiming to fill these positions as soon as possible, but whether all 50 posts will be filled during 1998 depends on the number of eligible and suitable candidates identified by the Employment Service. No specific targets have been set for the numbers to be recruited under the unsubsidised option. We will of course consider eligible applicants, if they are suitable for our vacancies.