§ 43. Miss Herbisonasked the Minister of Labour the ratio of boys under 18 years of age registered as wholly unemployed in the County of Lanark, at the latest convenient date, to the number of unfilled notified vacancies.
§ Miss HerbisonDoes the Minister realise that that Answer and others which have been given today show the state of the employment position for young people in Scotland? Is he also aware that his Government must bear fullest responsibility, because of their actions since 1951? May I ask him if he has ever seen any of these youths going from factory to factory from morning to night trying to find jobs, and coming back home at night weary and disheartened, feeling that nobody in this world is interested in them?
Mr. ThomasYes, I can assure the hon. Lady that I have seen boys in these circumstances, and I fully appreciate the difficulties and the social implications. The hon. Lady is aware, of course, of the vast area in Scotland which is now listed under the Local Employment Act, and of the projects in the pipeline, and I hope that the general employment situation, which we hope will improve soon, will assist in the employment of boys.