§ 15. Mr. Jegerasked the Minister of Labour how many registered disabled people are still unemployed in Goole, Thorne, and Knottingley, after rehabilitation or other training courses; and whether he is satisfied that prospective employers are adequately consulted before training courses are arranged.
§ Mr. HareOne registered disabled person is still unemployed after completing a course of training during the year ending February, 1963, and nine are unemployed after courses of industrial rehabilitation. One of the main purposes of a rehabilitation course is to decide 899 the type of occupation for which the person concerned is most suitable. Therefore, it is generally impracticable to consult prospective employers in advance.
§ Mr. JegerIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are cases in which local employers have undertaken to give training to disabled men if they were allowed to do so, but his Department has refused the offers and has sent the disabled men off on expensive residential training courses, after which they have been unemployed because the training has not been attuned to the local employment position?
§ Mr. HareI will look into the general allegation which the hon. Gentleman makes. I have knowledge of one particular case concerning one of his constituents. The hon. Gentleman will remember that in that case the firm which had offered employment was taken over by another firm which moved its activities from the area.
§ 16. Mr. Jegerasked the Minister of Labour how many juveniles under the age of 18 are registered as unemployed in Goole, Thorne, and Knottingley; and what action is being taken to find employment for them.
§ Mr. HareOn 11th March, 33 in Goole, 81 in Thorne, and 49 in Pontefract, which includes Knottingley. The Youth Employment Service is making every effort to find them suitable work.
§ Mr. JegerIs it not deplorable that these young people should start their adult life either receiving unemployment benefit or on National Assistance? Is not the Minister prepared to do something more to see that the adults of the future are trained during their fruitful years and do not spend their time in idleness drawing money in that way?
§ Mr. HareWe all agree with the sentiment which the hon. Gentleman expresses. It is a matter of great regret if any young person, boy or girl, cannot find employment after leaving school. As regards the attitude of the Government, the hon. Gentleman knows that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and others of my colleagues are, with me, making a flat-out drive to deal with this important problem which affects the young as well as the old.