§ 23. Mr. HARDIEasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that last week an additional 7,000 boys and girls in the Glasgow area left school and are now in search of employment; and whether he will take steps to provide employment or continuation education centres to prevent the evils that accompany enforced idleness?
§ Sir M. BARLOWI understand that approximately 7,000 boys and girls left the elementary schools in the area of the Glasgow Education Authority at the end of the last summer term. Every effort will be made through the Emplyoment Exchanges to provide employment for those who require it. As regards the last part of the question, if, as I assume, the hon. Members refers to juvenile unemployment centres, I may say that I have written to the Glasgow Education Authority, among others, inviting them to open centres from 17th September, on the usual basis of a Government grant of 75 per cent. of the cost.
§ Mr. HAYDAYWill the Minister consider, not this hide-bound juvenile centre, but a system which is going to embrace adolescence, because that is, as he must know, the most important stage of the child's mind?
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKIs not the most effective method of dealing with this large number of unemployed children to raise the school age?
§ Sir M. BARLOWThat is a question that ought to be addressed to the President of the Board of Education.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKWould the right hon. Gentleman use his influence?
35. Mr. G. WHITEasked the Minister of Labour if the conditions under which the Government will pay 75 per cent. of the cost of juvenile unemployment centres from 17th September next 1334 will be the same as those in force at present; and if a local authority continuing a centre already in operation can rely on receiving grant from that date?
§ Sir M. BARLOWI anticipate that the conditions under which the Government grant of 75 per cent. of the cost of juvenile unemployment centres will be paid from the 17th September next to 17th April, 1924, will be substantially the same as those previously in force; they will be issued to authorities as soon as possible. Speaking generally, an authority which has had an approved scheme in the past may rely on receiving approval of an application for a scheme during next winter, provided that the scheme continues to comply with the conditions of the grant and that unemployment among juveniles in the area of the authority is still acute.
§ Sir M. BARLOWI have already announced that the Government are not prepared to go beyond the arrangement already made, namely, to recognise the scheme in the middle of September.
Mr. T. THOMSONCould the right hon. Gentleman notify local authorities of the terms of the answer he has just given so that they may be acquainted with the position?
§ Sir M. BARLOWThe local authorities are watching the matter closely and the publicity given to this answer will probably be sufficient.