Written question asked by Malcolm Chisholm (Labour) on Wednesday, 27 January 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 February 1999. It was answered by Andrew Smith (Labour) on Thursday, 4 February 1999 on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.

Dept for Education and Employment;Employment Service

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many 16 and 17 year olds in Scotland applied for severe hardship payments in the latest year for which figures are available. - Includes figure and text of letter from Richard Foster of Employment Service.

Answer: Mr. Chisholm: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many 16 and 17 year olds in Scotland applied for severe hardship payments in the latest year for which figures are available. [68770] Mr. Andrew Smith: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from Richard Foster to Mr. Malcolm Chisholm, dated 2 February 1999: As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked Leigh Lewis to reply to your question regarding the number of 16 and 17 year olds in Scotland who applied for severe hardship payments. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mr. Lewis as Chief Executive of the Agency. I am replying in his absence. The latest figures available are for the calendar year 1998 and these show that 17,154 16 and 17 year olds applied for severe hardship payments in Scotland during this period. I hope this is helpful.

Secondary information