HC Deb 22 January 1942 vol 377 c397
18. Lieutenant Butcher

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are taken to see that young people, on first entering employment, take posts of usefulness to the country at the present time and offering prospects of permanent employment to them?

Mr. Bevin

Advice to young people leaving school as to choice of employment continues to be given by local education authorities and juvenile advisory committees, and I am glad to have the opportunity of acknowledging the care with which this important service is being maintained under war-time conditions. The general policy followed is that subject to the overriding consideration of the suitability of the work for the young person concerned priority in the filling of vacancies is given to work of immediate national importance. The prospects offered by the available openings are naturally given full consideration in all this advisory work.

Mr. Kenneth Lindsay

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many juvenile advisory committees are now in existence or have been re-set up, and will he ask them to keep an eye upon the hours of work of young people?

Mr. Bevin

I will go into that matter.