§ 24. Mr. Wainwrightasked the Minister of Labour how many adults, at the latest available date, were unemployed in the Mexborough employment exchange area.
§ Mr. Whitelaw1,245.
§ Mr. WainwrightIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that these figures are very disturbing? Is there any possibility of the area being scheduled under the Local Employment Act? If so, is the hon. Gentleman aware that we shall 1344 want a new pipeline in the district, one which Ministers will go through to make sure that jobs are kept flowing until the unemployment problem is solved?
§ Mr. WhitelawI will note what the hon. Gentleman has said. I should not like his idea to be followed through because, in my case, the pipe would have to be a rather big one.
§ 25. Mr. Wainwrightasked the Minister of Labour how many youths under the age of 18 years, at the latest available date, were unemployed in the Mexborough employment exchange area.
§ Mr. Whitelaw95 boys on 11th February.
§ Mr. WainwrightThis also is a rather shocking state of affairs. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the youths in the Dearne Valley district are becoming more frustrated day by day, week by week? When are the Government going to do something to make certain that the youths not only of Dearne Valley but of south Yorkshire and the whole country will be able to look forward with some promise to having a job in the future? I hope that the Minister and the Parliamentary Secretary will do more about this issue than they are doing at the present time.
§ Mr. WhitelawI assure the hon. Gentleman that I hope that increasing opportunities for young people will come in the months ahead. Certainly, everything possible will be done to ensure that they do.