§ 33. Mr. Woodburnasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the prospect that in 1962 30 per cent. of the school leavers in Clackmannanshire will face permanent unemployment; and what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to improve the position.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Peter Thomas)No, Sir. Although the increase in the number of school leavers in Clackmannanshire in 1962 will make the employment situation more difficult than at present, I expect that the great majority will find employment without excessive difficulty.
§ Mr. WoodburnAm I to understand that the Minister's information is different from that of the youth employment officer? When he answers "No, Sir", what does it mean? Is he contradicting the youth employment officer, or is he saying that he does not intend to take steps to improve the situation?
§ Mr. ThomasI am aware that a statement has been attributed to the Clackmannan youth employment officer, and "No, Sir" means that I certainly do not agree with that statement. I hope that any apprehensions that may have been caused by it will be dispelled by what I have said.