§ 33. Mr. Randallasked the Minister of Labour what action he is taking to deal with the serious unemployment of boys under 18 years of age in the northern region.
§ Mr. P. ThomasThe Government have shown their anxiety to help deal with this problem by designating several areas in the region as development districts under the Local Employment Act. Youth employment officers in the region will continue to do all they can to place boys in suitable work.
§ Mr. RandallThat reply does not give a great deal of comfort to the 1,640 boys under 18 years of age in the northern region, which is one of the worst regions in the country in this respect. I believe that Scotland is closely associated with it. For those 1,640 boys there are only 604 vacancies. Can the hon. Gentleman do something in the North East, in order that these boys who recently left school may have an opportunity of employment?
§ Mr. ThomasI appreciate what the hon. Member has said. The difficulty here is very much tied up with the difficulties of the general employment situation. It was for these reasons that parts of the northern area, to the extent of 28 per 1256 cent. of the insured population, were put on the list under the Local Employment Act.