§ 20. Dr. J. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Labour the number of young persons under 21 years of age who are unemployed in the Wales division, the percentage of unemployment of young 2115 people of both sexes, and the number of young persons who have become eligible for transitional payment?
| Insured persons under 21 years of age recorded as unemployed in Wales Division at 20th February, 1933. | ||||
| — | Aged 16 and under 18.* | Aged 18 and under 21. | ||
| Males. | Females. | Males. | Females. | |
| Number unemployed | 3,052 | 1,393 | 13,684 | 3,705 |
| Precentage unemployed | 9.6 | 14.2 | 28.0 | 24.8 |
| Number with applications authorised for transitional payments. | — | — | 6,020 | 564 |
| *Persons under 18 years of age are not eligible for transitional payments |
§ 24. Mr. COVEasked the Minister of Labour if he can state how many of the unemployed juveniles of 16 and 17 years of age have never had employment since reaching insurable age?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available.
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThese figures have never at any time, by any Government, Been tabulated in the way asked for, and I am told that to give them would involve very laborious inquiries, but the next time we have a special inquiry on any matter, I will see whether I cannot have a sample case which would give the hon. Gentleman some indication in the direction desired.
§ Mr. COVEIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in a number of areas there is an impression that a large number of these boys have no work at all, and therefore that they are providing a serious social problem?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONIt is a serious problem, and I have no doubt that what the hon. Member says is true.
§ Mr. LUNNIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that 450,000 boys and girls leave school in every school year, according to an answer given to me the other day, and are the Government taking any steps to see that either their education
§ Sir H. BETTERTONAs the reply includes a table of figures I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the statement:
§ is continued or something is done to find them employment?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONWith regard to the first question, the figures are substantially accurate. In fact, I gave them myself the other day. The whole question of what we can do and should do with regard to juveniles is at present under active consideration.
§ Mr. COVEDoes the right hon. Gentleman not agree that it would be far better to raise the school-leaving age than to have the children permanently and totally unemployed?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe hon. Gentleman should not address questions with regard to the school-leaving age to me.