§ 23. Mr. HARRISasked the President of the Board of Education what machinery exists at present to assist pupils leaving public elementary schools to obtain suitable employment,i.e.,employment not of a blind-alley nature; and is it his intention to confer with the Minister of Labour as to the possibility of improving such machinery?
§ Lord E. PERCYIn a substantial number of areas in England and Wales the work of advising and helping school children to obtain suitable employment is undertaken by the local education authorities in exercise of their powers under Section 107 of the Education Act, 1921. In the remaining areas 2452 the Minister of Labour is responsible for the work, and the Minister normally sets up a Juvenile Advisory Committee, containing representatives of the various interests concerned, to assist the Employment Exchanges. These Committees cooperate closely, I believe, in all cases, with the local education authority. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a circular (No. 1322) showing the usual methods of administration adopted by authorities, and also a document describing the work of juvenile advisory committees. I am in constant conference with my right hon. Friend on this matter. As an instance of the manner in which this work is being developed, I may mention that I understand a committee of teachers has recently been formed, representing three counties in the Midlands, for the purpose of advising the Minister of Labour.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWould it be possible to get a return showing the number of boys and girls who are placed by the various committees and the sorts of situations that are obtained: that is, how many are put into blind alleys and how many get regular work?
Viscountess ASTORIs not the best means of keeping the children out of blind alleys to extend the school age?
§ Lord E. PERCYNo doubt the noble Lady will represent that to her local authority.
§ Lord E. PERCYI will look into the question of the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury). I think that figures would be available for certain areas, but not for all.
§ 27. Mr. A. R. KENNEDYasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is in a position to state when the conference on juvenile employment will take place; and what will be the constitution of the conference and the terms of reference?
§ Lord E. PERCYI am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour upon this matter. We are anxious that the conference or inquiry which I suggested in general terms on the 24th February should take a form which will ensure a practical result; that it 2453 should not merely go over ground already covered by the inquiries of previous Committees or by inquiries now being conducted by the Ministry of Labour; and that it should be able to take into account, not only the varied requirements of different industries, but also the varied local conditions and customs within the industries themselves. At the moment I can only assure my hon. Friend that we will proceed as expeditiously as possible in a matter which we regard as of the very first importance.