52. Mr. Slaterasked the Minister of Labour how many boys and girls, respectively, who left school at Christmas in the Billingham and Stockton areas have found employment; and how many are currently registered as unemployed.
§ Mr. HareTwo hundred and thirty-two boys and 255 girls are known to have left school in these areas at Christmas, 1961; 35 boys and 29 girls were still unemployed on 9th February.
Mr. SlaterIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the situation is becoming very serious indeed and that parents, along with the education authorities, are very concerned? Does he not think that some more positive action ought to be taken, even if it means consultation between his Department and the Board of Trade, which I have advocated in this House on many occasions? Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the time has come when he ought to consult with the Board of Trade to see what can be done?
§ Mr. HareThe hon. Gentleman knows that I am in very close touch with the President of the Board of Trade on the matter that he has in mind. I think he will also agree that training opportunities in this area in which he has a particular interest are, if anything, rather better than in the rest of the country because of the preponderance of heavy industry there. I do not want the hon. Gentleman to feel that I am not concerned with what he says, but I think he will find that we shall be able to find employment for these young people whose interests he has so much at heart.