§ 13. Mr. Russellasked the Minister of Labour how many persons under 45 years of age and over 45 years of age, respectively, have registered with the appointments offices of his Department during the past two years; and how many of each of these age groups have been found appointments appropriate to their qualifications.
Mr. LeeStatistics of registrations and placings by age groups are not available. During the two years ending on 21st May, 1951, the total number of new registrations at appointments offices was 68,261, and 17,313 people were placed in managerial, professional, administrative and executive posts.
§ Mr. RussellDoes the hon. Gentleman regard that proportion, which I gather is roughly one in four, as a satisfactory figure, and can he not use greater efforts to find the older men posts suitable to their qualifications?
Mr. LeeAs a matter of fact we do emphasise the needs of older people, but of course we cannot make jobs if they are not there and private employers cannot employ people if they have not jobs to offer. On the whole, however, I think that the figures I have mentioned are pretty satisfactory.