§ 20. Mr. Boydenasked the Minister of Labour what action he has taken since the report of National Youth Employment Council which stated that school leavers in the North-East faced the poorest prospects in the country.
§ Mr. HareThe number of unemployed school leavers in the Northern Region, though still high, fell by over half between September and October. The Government are continuing to give every encouragement to industry to expand in the North-East. In the present difficult situation for young people, I am also proposing the establishment of a first year apprentice training course for unemployed boys.
§ Mr. BoydenIf the hon. Gentleman and his colleagues cannot do anything about providing jobs in the North-East, may I ask whether he will accelerate training and consider consulting the National Coal Board and the British Transport Commission with a view to their providing apprentice training to absorb some of the unemployed boys so that they can become skilled workers?
§ Mr. HareAs the hon. Gentleman probably knows, I am in touch with the National Coal Board and other firms 589 who have suggested that they might be able to help out in apprenticeship training arrangements. I think the hon. Member must also be aware that I am negotiating with the trade unions about the setting up of the course which I have just mentioned. I want to carry everybody with me if I possibly can, and I shall be very grateful for any help that the hon. Member can give me.
§ 22. Dame Irene Wardasked the Minister of Labour what were the numbers of school leavers last July for the Northern Region; and how many have found employment.
§ Dame Irene WardMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether the speech made on Friday by the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance was sent to him in order that he might comment on it before it was made? Is he aware that the speech as reported in the Press was at complete variance with the attitude of my right hon. Friend's Department? Is he aware that I prefer my right hon. Friend's approach to that of the Minister who went up to the area on Friday? In future, can we please have Ministers coming into the area who know something about the problem and not have Ministers making speeches which are contrary to Government policy?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe part of that supplementary question, inviting the Minister to comment on the speech of another Minister, is out of order.
§ Dame Irene WardWhy?
§ Mr. SpeakerBecause only the Prime Minister may be asked a question of that kind. I would have explained but I thought that the hon. Lady's experience extended to that.
§ Dame Irene WardI am always hopeful.
§ Mr. HareAs my hon. Friend knows, I always like to come up to the North-East, and I hope to be there again before very long.
§ 23. Dame Irene Wardasked the Minister of Labour what were the num- 590 bers of school leavers last July in the county borough of Tynemouth and the borough of Whitley Bay; and how many have found employment.
§ Mr. WhitelawFifty-two out of 805 school leavers were registered for employment on 15th October in Whitley Bay and Tynemouth.
§ Dame Irene WardHas my right hon. Friend ensured that during the debate which follows Questions today we shall really have a full and effective new statement of policy on what will happen to provide employment for those who are unemployed on the North-East Coast—a live policy?
§ Mr. WhitelawI must disappoint my hon. Friend to the extent that, as I have not received the promotion which she so kindly offered to me, I cannot comment on what she says. I think that she will gain some limited satisfaction from the fact that 753 school leavers have been placed. We shall do our best to find opportunities for those who are still unemployed.