HC Deb 30 November 1960 vol 631 cc367-8
10. Mr. Bence

asked the Minister of Labour what is the total number of youths registered as unemployed at the Clydebank Employment Exchange; and what steps he is taking to find suitable employment for them.

Mr. P. Thomas

Thirty-six boys and 12 girls on 14th November, 1960. The Youth Employment Service is doing its best to help them.

Mr. Bence

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that this is really tragic? He says that the number is only 36, but would he not agree that when the number is small it is a greater tragedy for the individual than when it is large? Here are 36 youths leaving school, healthy, strong and more vigorous than their forebears of fifty years ago, who have to walk the streets. Would it not be better to employ them in training and further education until such time as they can be placed, rather than allow them to appear not to be wanted by society?

Mr. Thomas

I do not accept the hon. Member's description of the situation in that area. The numbers must be compared with the number of school leavers. The figure that I gave the hon. Member included those who left school in November. Sixty-eight boys and 71 girls left school at the most recent leaving date of 1st November. Of them 7 boys and 2 girls are still registered for employment and all have been submitted to vacancies.

Mr. Lee

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that, where there is a relatively small number of people who are unable to appear in the same light as their more fortunate brethren, the problem for the individual is more acute? Would he not agree that there is no consolation for the individual in being told that only 36 are unemployed, for each individual is one of those 36 and the lives of these young people are at jeopardy?

Mr. Thomas

I still say that we must not exaggerate the situation, and we have every hope of placing these 36 within the next few weeks.