asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on funding Manpower Services Commission schemes in the east midlands.

It is expected that the Manpower Services Commission will spend about £148 million on programme costs in the east midlands during the financial year 1986–87. The amounts for the major programmes are:

With every young school leaver in Gainsborough this year being offered, for the first time in history, either a job or further education or training, does my hon. Friend agree that even the Opposition, with their twisted logic, will find it difficult to claim that we do not care about unemployment when, since 1979, in the east midlands alone more than £85 million has been spent on helping 1,500 firms to create 18,000 jobs?

My hon. Friend's figures are absolutely right. I hope that everyone, including the Opposition, will welcome the fact that by Easter everyone under 18 will have a guaranteed training place.

Will the Minister confirm that he has ordered a 20p in the pound cut in funding for community programmes in the east midlands, the west midlands and elsewhere?

As far as the east midlands is concerned, there will be no significant change in funding.

Does my hon. Friend accept that the YTS scheme in the east midlands and elsewhere is one of the most successful schemes in the world and shows that Britain is not only leading Europe in the provision of new jobs, but is leading Europe in the provision of relevant and successful training schemes?

I agree with my hon. Friend. The Government now have in place what are probably the most comprehensive employment and training schemes in the Western world.