HC Deb 25 February 1959 vol 600 cc1113-5
41. Mr. Moyle

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the number of young people who left school at 15 years of age, in the Boroughs of Oldbury and Halesowen, respectively, and the number who obtained skilled employment involving a period of apprenticeship, in the years 1955, 1956, 1957, and for the latest available date in 1958.

Mr. Wood

As the reply includes two tables of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

15-YEAR-OLD SCHOOL-LEAVERS
Oldbury
Year Apprenticeships* Total leavers at age 15
Boys Girls Boys Girls
1955 … 103 5 250 232
1956 … 96 8 213 217
1957 … 116 11 279 238
1958 … 109 11 297 298
Halesowen
Year Apprenticeships* Total leavers at age 15
Boys Girls Boys Girls
1955 … 55 7 201 176
1956 … 57 6 205 176
1957 … 73 9 213 196
1958 … 70 14 245 242
* Include those entering at 15 employment expected to lead to an apprenticeship at 16.

42. Mr. Moyle

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the number of registered unemployed workers in the Boroughs of Oldbury and Halesowen, respectively, in the years 1955, 1956, 1957 and 1958.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The average numbers of unemployed persons on the registers of the Oldbury and Halesowen Employment Exchanges were 91 and 43 in 1955, 159 and 191 in 1956, 212 and 109 in 1957, and 376 and 156 in 1958 respectively.

Mr. Moyle

Can the Minister tell me the latest available figures for both boroughs, that is, later figures than those he has given for 1958?

Mr. Macleod

On 9th February, 1959, the percentage rates of unemployment in Oldbury and Halesowen were 16 and 13, so they are still doing pretty well.

Mr. Moyle

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's aptitude for bridge and for predicting unemployment figures, can he tell me whether these figures will go up or come down in my constituency?

Mr. Macleod

No, Sir—not even with notice.