asked the Minister for Labour if any person has yet been employed under the Work Experience programme; if not, when the first person will be employed; and if he will make a statement giving full details of the scheme.

: In my reply to the debate on the Estimate for my Department on 1 June 1978 I stated that proposals for the implementation of the Work Experience Programme were being worked out by the National Manpower Service in consultation with other appropriate agencies and that it is proposed to have a number of pilot schemes in operation by July. The consultations are nearing completion and the final details of the programme are expected to be settled very shortly.

: Is the Minister telling us that there have not been any jobs created so far under the Work Experience Programme?

: The Minister is confining himself to the reply he has just given, that in his reply to the debate on the Estimate the Minister for Labour said that proposals for the implementation of the programme were being worked out by the National Manpower Service in consultation with other appropriate agencies and that it is proposed to have a number of pilot schemes in operation by July.

: Can the Minister give a date in July and the number of jobs?

: I have not got a specific date.