§ 17. Mr. Shortasked the Minister of Labour how many young persons under the age of 18 years are unemployed in Newcastle-upon-Tyne; and how many vacancies are available.
§ Mr. P. ThomasOn 11th April there were 199 young people registered as unemployed at Youth Employment offices in the City of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. This figure does not include any Easter school leavers, as the school term ended after the April count. On 6th April there were 731 vacancies, notified to these offices, still unfilled.
§ Mr. ShortBut does not the hon. Gentleman realise that, with the addition of the Easter school leavers, the figures are a great deal worse? Will he tell his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer about these figures before the Chancellor makes his statement tomorrow and ask him to bear in mind that if the credit squeeze is applied because of inflation in the Midlands and the South-East it will have an extremely detrimental effect on the employment prospects of other areas, notably the North-East Coast?
§ Mr. ThomasI have no doubt that my right hon. Friend will see these figures by tomorrow.