HC Deb 14 March 1960 vol 619 cc899-900
3. Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he has taken to improve the pay and conditions of service of youth employment officers so that he can recruit to the service men and women of the educational and personal standards recommended by the National Youth Employment Council.

Mr. P. Thomas

The salaries of youth employment officers in local authority employment are a matter for the local authorities' appropriate National Joint Council, which has had a revision of these salaries under consideration for some time. The Council is aware of the importance of recruiting men and women of the right calibre for this work and my right hon. Friend hopes that it will arrive speedily at an agreed conclusion.

The salaries of youth employment officers employed by my Ministry are agreed by the National Joint Whitley Council. No difficulty is experienced in finding among the Ministry's staff suitable officers for this work.

Mr. Boyden

Will not the Minister bring some pressure to bear on the local education authorities in this matter, because these conditions have been bad for a long time and his own Youth Employment Central Council reported adversely on the training and prospects of youth employment officers? Can not he hurry the matter along?

Mr. Thomas

Salary negotiations are at the moment taking place with local authority associations and I hope that agreement can be reached expeditiously.

4. Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Labour how many local education authorities operating the Youth Employment Service have failed so far to bring their establishment up to the required strength to cater for the bulge.

Mr. P. Thomas

Most authorities have made proper staffing provision for the bulge. A few have proposals for additional posts under consideration at present. My right hon. Friend is keeping the situation under review.

Mr. Boyden

Has the hon. Gentleman information about the calibre of the new appointments which have been made? Can he say whether they are men of the right quality for these posts?

Mr. Thomas

Yes, we think that those newly appointed are people of the right calibre, and we hope that those who will be attracted to this work will be of the required calibre, also.