§ 6. Mr. Boydenasked the Minister of Labour how many summer term school leavers from the Bishop Auckland constituency, recommended for apprenticeships by their youth employment officers, have not yet been apprenticed; what 366 percentage this is of the total recommended; and how this figure compares with the national percentage accepted.
§ Mr. P. ThomasAccording to figures compiled locally, 17, or 23 per cent., of the total recommended. National figures are not available.
§ Mr. BoydenIs the hon. Gentleman aware that both in the railway industry and the mining industry, very naturally, far fewer apprentices can be taken on than used to be taken? Is he aware that the birthrate in County Durham is higher than the national average and therefore the situation in future will get much worse, and very little new industry has been brought into the area? Could the hon. Gentleman consult urgently with his right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to do something for the industrial development of the area as a whole and for apprentices in particular?
§ Mr. ThomasI am sure that my right hon. Friend will take note of what the hon. Member has said. I am informed that there are good apprenticeships for boys with the National Coal Board and the Board is increasing its intake.