Youth Training Scheme

Oral Answers to Questions — Employment – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 May 1983.

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Photo of Mr Frank Hooley Mr Frank Hooley , Sheffield, Heeley 12:00, 10 May 1983

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will strengthen the training component of the youth training scheme.

Photo of Hon. Peter Morrison Hon. Peter Morrison , City of Chester

I am confident that the current criteria for designing youth training scheme programmes will provide a strong training component for all schemes.

Photo of Mr Frank Hooley Mr Frank Hooley , Sheffield, Heeley

Is the Minister aware that the youth training scheme is a confidence trick—a pretence that 400,000 boys and girls now in the dole queue will have a future under this Government? Is it not true that while the Government pursue their economic policies there is no useful future for them?

Photo of Hon. Peter Morrison Hon. Peter Morrison , City of Chester

The hon. Gentleman will be well aware that his right hon. and hon. Friends on the Opposition Front Bench do not believe that the scheme is a confidence trick. They have fully supported it, as have trade unions and employers. Thousands of sponsors are coming forward and youngsters are interested in joining the scheme.

Photo of Mr Harry Greenway Mr Harry Greenway , Ealing North

Is my hon. Friend aware of the Labour party confidence trick? Has it not stated that, if elected, it will introduce a training scheme for youngsters of 16-plus, for two years, which will pay its participants £25 a week? Has not the Labour party now had to admit that after taxation and loss of family allowance that wage will be worth only £9 a week? Is that not the biggest confidence trick of all time?

Photo of Hon. Peter Morrison Hon. Peter Morrison , City of Chester

I am sure that my hon. Friend is right. As will become apparent during the next few weeks, the Opposition have not properly costed their proposals.

Photo of Mr Barry Jones Mr Barry Jones , Flint East

What about the unemployed 17-year-olds?

Photo of Hon. Peter Morrison Hon. Peter Morrison , City of Chester

As the hon. Gentleman is aware, the scheme is for 16-year-olds. We hope also to provide for an estimated 50,000 unemployed 17-year-olds.