§ 23. Mr. Geoffrey Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will ensure that the staff of secondary schools who give guidance on careers are aware of the special need of early advice to parents of immigrant children particularly those who may be seeking clerical and similar posts.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI am sure that the teachers concerned and youth employment officers are aware of what is needed. Vocational guidance is a skilled job which involves dealing with people as individuals. Advice to school leavers depends upon their aptitude, scholastic achievement, and personality as well as upon employment opportunities. This is not a subject in my view suitable for a mass approach and I have every confidence in the professional competence of teaching and youth employment staff to give all school leavers the guidance which is in their best interests.
§ Mr. LloydDoes the hon. Gentleman recollect that in the Third Report of the Commonwealth Immigration Advisory Council special action is urged on this subject and that in the opinion of many of us it is important that this difficult subject should be helped by 1548 giving young people a fair start in life? Does he not agree that some special effort by the authorities is required?
§ Mr. HowellI am indeed grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for mentioning that, and I hope that this Question will help to encourage schools in that direction. We particularly want to maintain contact between schools and the youth employment officers. This will be one of the things to which we will pay special regard in the circular which my right hon. Friend will shortly be sending out to local authorities.