HC Deb 18 November 1963 vol 684 c618
28. Mr. Morris

asked the Minister of Labour what estimate he has made of the number of boys and girls who are unemployed, but do not register as unemployed; what survey has taken place at Port Talbot of this problem; and what is the ratio of the unregistered unemployed to the registered unemployed boys and girls.

Mr. Whitelaw

Statistics are not kept of those who do not register and any estimate would therefore be speculative. I understand that a local inquiry made by the Port Talbot Youth Employment Office in August suggested that some 61 unemployed young people had not registered, but the evidence is insufficient to enable a percentage estimate to be made.

Mr. Morris

Does the Parliamentary Secretary agree that when this survey took place it showed that those who were not registering comprised at least 25 per cent, of the total of the unemployed boys and girls? Is this reflected in other parts of the country? Is the figure given in official reports for boys and girls unemployed not an accurate figure? Is not the accurate figure very much worse?

Mr. Whitelaw

I not not think that there is any evidence accurately to support what the hon. Gentleman suggested.

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