§ 31. Mr. Owenasked the Minister of Labour how many school leavers were registered on the books of employment exchanges at the end of 1960; how many of these have been awaiting employment for a period of three months or more: and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HareThere were just over 136,000 school leavers at Christmas, 1960. On 16th January this year, 8,079 including 394 who left school more than three months before that date were registered for employment.
§ Mr. OwenIs the Minister aware that this situation leaves a considerable number of our school leavers still awaiting employment? The matter has been under consideration for a long time in connec- 500 tion with the Report of the Can Committee. Surely, it is time for us to expect a little more energetic action from the Minister and his Department.
§ Mr. HareThat is not a very fair reflection. I have just given the figure of 136,000 school leavers at Christmas. By 16th January 7,000, representing only 5.3 per cent. of the total number, were not in employment, I am very glad to say that that is a much better figure than for January, 1960, when at this stage 9-6 per cent. were not in work.