HC Deb 06 May 1925 vol 183 cc926-9
40. Mr. MAXTON

asked the Minister of Labour how many juvenile unemployment centres are in operation in Scotland; how many pupils are receiving instruction in these centres; and the numbers of boys and girls, respectively?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Forty-three centres are open in Scotland in the areas of five local education authorities; the proposals of one authority are under consideration. The average atendances at 41 of these centres during the week which ended on 24th April was 2,106 (1,219 boys and 887 girls). The remaining two centres, which have an average attendance of about 50, did not re-open after the Easter holidays until 27th April. 14,400 boys and girls passed through the Scottish centres during the year which ended on 31st March, last.

Mr. MAXTON

Would it be possible for the right hon. Gentleman, in reply to a further question, to state the cost per pupil and per centre of maintaining this scheme?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I will gladly try to give the hon. Member any information of that kind which he wishes to have communicated.

76. Mr. LANSBURY

asked the President of the Board of Education how many juvenile unemployment centres are in operation in England and Wales; the average number of juveniles who attend and the average period of continuous attendance; what are the subjects taught and the daily hours of attendance; are the teachers certificated and entitled to pension and are they paid the same salaries as teachers in ordinary central or secondary schools; is it possible to say how many of those who attend these centres obtain permanent employment; and is it part of the duty of teachers to see that frequent applications are made by the students to the Labour Exchanges for work?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I have been asked to reply, and, as the answer is necessarily of considerable length, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

1. In England and Wales there are 83 centres open in the areas of 33 local education authorities. Four centres in the areas of three authorities have been approved, but are not yet open. Further, nine authorities are believed to have proposals for new or additional centres in contemplation.

2. The average number of boys and girls who attended centres in England and Wales during the week which ended on 24th April was 3,535 boys and 2,237 girls, a total of 5,772. The number of individual juveniles who attended during the same week was 6,710. The number of individual juveniles who attended centres at any time during the year which ended on 31st March, 1925, was 58,906. The average period of continuous attendance is not definitely known, but inquiries made last October indicate that it is about three to six weeks.

3. Local education authorities are given the widest discretion in the choice of subjects of instruction. The subjects most commonly taught are these:

Boys:

Girls:

In addition, the curriculum, both for boys and girls, includes lectures on general subjects, on local history, travel, citizenship, etc., and for those seeking commercial employment instruction in shorthand, typewriting, bookkeeping is available. Debates are also a feature at many centres.

4. The average daily hours of attendance are three hours on five days each week.

5. I understand that a substantial proportion of the teachers in the centres are certificated. Service in the centres in England and Wales is not at present recognised for superannuation purposes, but my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education is proposing such provision as is necessary in the Teachers' Superannuation Bill now before Parliament. In the meantime local education authorities have been informed that, subject to certain conditions, teachers who are seconded for full-time service in a centre may be offered, while so serving, the salary which would have been payable to them under the recognised local scale for assistant teachers in elementary schools increased by 10 per cent.

6. The scales of salary paid to teachers vary from area to area and are those which the authorities concerned consider are appropriate. In a number of cases the teachers are paid in accordance with the recognised local scale for assistant teachers in elementary schools.

7. It is not possible to say how many of those who attend the centres obtain permanent employment, but special arrangements are in force to ensure that boys and girls attending the centres are put in touch with employers notifying vacancies to the Employment Exchange or Juvenile Employment Bureau. A high proportion of the juveniles attending the centres secure employment in this way. There is normally no need for the juveniles concerned to apply for work at the exchange or bureau on the days on which they are attending the centres as under the arrangements mentioned officers from the exchanges or bureaux visit the centres daily or vacancies notified to the exchanges or bureaux are communicated to the centres by telephone.