asked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of young people who have participated in the youth opportunities programme went on to permanent empolyment, broken down (a) by each component of the programme and (b) by region; and if he will decribe the way in which this information was collected.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that comprehensive statistics relating to young people leaving the youth opportunities programme are not available. However, a recent postal sample survey, of young people who entered the programme in September and October 1978, has shown that the following percentages of young people entered normal employment immediately on leaving the work experience elements of the programme:

Work experience on employers' premises	70 per cent.
Project-based work experience	56 per cent.
Training workshops	60 per cent.
Community service	47 per cent.
All work experience elements	68 per cent.

Regional analyses of results of this survey have not yet been completed. I shall write to the hon. Member when these analyses are completed early in the New Year.