asked the Paymaster General how many men have taken advantage of the job release scheme since its inception and if any plans exist to extend its scope.

Since its inception in January 1977, 293,000 people have taken advantage of the job release scheme. Figures are not available to show how many of these people were men. However, of the 57,000 participants in the scheme at the end of August 1985, 52,000 were men.The scope of the job release scheme is kept under review.