HC Deb 24 February 1960 vol 618 cc350-1
10. Mr. Prentice

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on the prospects for the provision of extra apprenticeships and other training facilities in 1961 and the succeeding years to provide adequate opportunities for the large numbers of extra school-leavers.

Mr. Heath

I am hopeful that, given confidence in an expanding economy, industry will increase the entry into apprenticeships and other forms of training so as to provide for its increased requirements of skilled manpower.

Mr. Prentice

Does the Minister agree that the number of school leavers next year will be about 22 per cent. higher than for this year, that in 1962 it will be 32 per cent. higher, and that in 1963 it will be 17 per cent. higher? Will not the unemployment situation created by this extra number of young people be aggravated by the ending of National Service during that period? Does the Minister think that the voluntary effort of private industry will measure up to the needs of the situation? Does he agree that it is up to the Government to produce plans to bridge the gap?

Mr. Heath

Responsibility for training in industry has been accepted as resting with industry. Industry has set up the Industrial Training Council with the object of encouraging industry to increase the numbers who are being trained. Details show that at the moment the figures are about keeping pace with the increase in the school-leaving population. I agree with the hon. Gentleman that there will be a greater problem in 1961 than in 1960. Everything possible must be done to encourage industry to provide for it.

11. Mr. Prentice

asked the Minister of Labour how many school leavers in 1959 became apprentices or learners; what percentage this represents; and how these figures compare with those for 1958.

Mr. Heath

The provisional total for boys and girls is 119,332, compared with 110,564 in 1958. Both figures are roughly 21 per cent. of the number of school leavers entering employment.

Mr. Prentice

Is it not rather disappointing that there was not a better improvement last year than that, particularly as 1958 was a poor year compared with 1957? In 1958 the number of apprentices went down. Does not that indicate the critical situation that we shall face next year and in the following two years when there will be a drastic rise in the number of school leavers?

Mr. Heath

On the other hand, the early part of last year was more difficult economically than 1957, and with an expanding economy I hope that we shall be able to increase the numbers.

Mr. R. Carr

Has the Industrial Training Council yet been able to arrive at an estimate of the numbers which will be appropriate both to industry's needs and the number of young people leaving school?

Mr. Heath

The Industrial Training Council sent out circulars in an endeavour to make a firm assessment of the numbers involved, but it has not been entirely successful in reaching a conclusion.