asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will report on the progress of the young workers scheme; and if he has any plans to change its provisions.

Over 110,000 applications for the scheme had been approved by the end of September. The scheme is clearly serving a valuable purpose and we have informed the European Commission of the Government's intention to continue it beyond 3 January 1983. We have no plans to change the earnings limits, level of subsidy or other provisions at this stage, but we will continue to keep these provisions under review.