HC Deb 04 February 1963 vol 671 cc13-4
16. Mr. Gourlay

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of boys and girls, 18 and under, registered as unemployed in the Buckhaven and Kirkcaldy areas at the latest convenient date, and the number of school leavers in those areas not presently in gainful employment and not registered; and what percentage the combined figures represent of the insured population of the age group up to 18.

Mr. Whitelaw

On 14th January, 1963, 239 boys and 175 girls under 18 years of age were registered as unemployed. Separate figures are not collected for those aged 18. I regret that the informa- tion requested in the remainder of the Question is not available.

Mr. Gourlay

Is the Minister aware that the Youth Employment Service has the figures of those unemployed school leavers who have not yet registered and the fact that they are not disclosed by the Ministry conceals a considerable number of unemployed young people? Does he not realise that those figures are unprecedentedly high in this area and that this indicates another failure of the Government's policy to maintain full employment? What are the Ministry's proposals far securing early employment for these young people in that area?

Mr. Whitelaw

The hon. Gentleman should appreciate that of those who left school at the end of the summer only six boys and seven girls are now still out of work. I do not put this very highly, but I think there is a limited satisfaction in it. As to future proposals, the hon. Gentleman knows that this area is in a development district. He is aware of the special measures which have been designed to help such districts. He also knows the proposal of the Board of Trade to build an advance factory on the Donibristle Industrial Estate, and I should have thought that this would increase employment opportunities for young people.

Mr. Gourlay

I know that this is a development district, but I also know that so far there is no additional employment coming into this area.

Mr. Speaker

Order. What the hon. Gentleman ought to know is that this is Question Time.

Mr. Gourlay

Does not the hon. Gentleman's answer indicate a degree of complacency in the Government, because so far nothing has come to the area? Will he press the President of the Board of Trade to hasten employment in this district?

Mr. Whitelaw

If anything that I said indicated any degree of complacency, it would be very far from my personal feelings in the matter. I would have thought that that was very plain to the House. I certainly do not have any feelings of complacency at all about the situation. I certainly note what the hon. Gentleman has said.