§ 27. Mr. Owenasked the Minister of Labour how many juveniles under 18 years of age are registered as unemployed at Ashington and Morpeth, Northumberland, respectively; and what is being done to find suitable employment for them.
§ Mr. WhitelawOn 11th March, 140 at Ashington and 57 at Morpeth. The Youth Employment Service is making every effort to find them suitable work.
§ Mr. OwenIs the hon. Gentleman aware that these figures would have been very much higher were it not for the fact that many young people are remaining at school? As we approach Easter, an increasing number of young people will be emerging from our schools and looking for work. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in this area a number of young people who signed on at the exchange in August last year are still waiting for work? Will he consider the possibility of utilising the excellent facilities of the Ashington Technical College and establish a training centre there so that these young people may have some hope for the future?
§ Mr. WhitelawI note what the hon. Gentleman says about young people staying on at school. Whatever may be the reason for it, that is a development which, in general terms, everyone welcomes. The hon. Gentleman said that some of last year's school leavers are still without a job. He is correct. At Ashington ten summer school leavers out of 326 have not yet found employment. However, that is not the case at Morpeth, where no summer school leavers are now registered. I note what the hon. Gentleman says about the utilisation of training facilities.
§ 28. Mr. Owenasked the Minister of Labour how many adult men and women are registered as unemployed at Ashington and Morpeth, Northumberland, respectively; and what is being done to find suitable employment for them.
§ Mr. Whitelaw391 and 84, and 280 and 57, respectively, on 11th March. Our local officers are doing all they can by submitting unemployed workers to suitable vacancies.
§ Mr. OwenHere again a major local problem is evolving! As the hon. Gentleman must know, this is basically a mining area and we are integrated into the general unemployment problem of the North-East. There is no prospect, as far as one can see at the moment, of new industry developing in the area. Will the hon. Gentleman consult the President of the Board of Trade and press the importance of the sites now being prepared by the Ashington, Morpeth and Newbiggin local councils and see whether it is possible to get new industry into the area speedily in order to meet the requirements of these unemployed workers?
§ Mr. WhitelawAs the hon. Gentleman probably knows, a clothing factory which will employ close to 400 workers is now being built in Ashington.