§ 15. Mr. Prenticeasked the Minister of Labour what percentage of boys leaving school entered apprenticeships in 1961, 1962, and 1963, respectively; and what were the comparable figures for girls.
§ Mr. GodberThe figures were: 37.9 per cent. in 1961, 36.2 per cent. in 1962 and 33.5 per cent. in 1963; the comparable figures for girls are 7.2 per cent., 6.6 per cent. and 5.5 per cent.
§ Mr. PrenticeDo not these figures indicate a very serious situation in that even since the Government decided to abandon their previous laissez-faire attitude and prepare for industrial training there has been a decline in the proportion of boys and girls entering apprenticeship in this country? Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any particular reasons for the decline last year, and can he comment on what he proposes to do in the near future, apart from what is in the Bill, to try to stimulate an immediate increase in recruiting to apprenticeship?
§ Mr. GodberWhile I accept that it is disappointing that the percentage of boys and girls has declined, in fact the number of boys entering apprenticeships last year was the fourth highest ever. The figure for the year before, 1962, was a record. The large output from the "bulge" years has been coming forward, and in 1962 special efforts were made to get as many employers as possible to take on apprentices. Perhaps because of this, last year they were not able to take on so many. I have done a great deal to publicise the need to obtain more, however, and as the Measure comes into effect it should help. I agree that we have got to try to reverse this trend.