HC Deb 16 February 1939 vol 343 cc1869-70
2. Mr. James Griffiths

asked the Minister of Labour the number of juvenile unemployed in South Wales and Monmouthshire on the last appropriate date; whether he has considered representations as to the increasing difficulties in placing juveniles in employment in the area; and whether he will indicate what steps he is taking to deal with the matter?

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)

At 16th January, 1939, 13,122 boys and girls, aged 14 and under 18 years, were registered as unemployed at Employment Exchanges and Juvenile Employment Bureaux in South Wales and Monmouthshire; this total includes, as usual at this date, a number temporarily unemployed immediately after leaving school. I do not know to what representations the hon. Member refers. This problem is part of the general problem of unemployment which will be debated to-day.

Mr. Griffiths

The right hon. Gentleman has cited figures of those temporarily unemployed, but have not representations been made to him that those in South Wales who are classed as temporarily unemployed are really permanently unemployed, and is he taking any special steps to deal with their case?

Mr. Brown

I have not had any special representations apart from general representations made in the course of a large number of deputations which I have received upon this and other subjects.