I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 55 and 74 together.
Financial provision for the local employment service, including its special education and training fund, is made in my Department's Estimate which I am satisfied will be adequate to meet any expansion needs this year. Such provision does not arise in connection with the Finance Bill which is primarily concerned with the implementation of various tax changes.
The Estimates for my Department for 1998 provide for the expansion of the local employment service to a number of new areas this year and my officials are currently assessing which areas could be included in this year's expansion phase.
Partnership 2000 for Inclusion, Employment and Competitiveness contains a commitment to the phased expansion of the LES initially to areas of concentrated unemployment, such that the LES will have commenced in all designated partneship areas during the period of this Partnership.