asked the Paymaster General how many people have benefited from the employment transfer scheme; if he has any information about the average distances involved in the transfer of such people; and if he will provide the same information for the free forward fare scheme.

During the year ended 31 March 1986, 3,300 unemployed people were helped by the employment transfer scheme and a further 11,350 received free forward fares to enable them to take up new jobs. I regret that we have no information on the average distances of the moves under either of the scheme. Both these schemes were discontinued in April 1986.