HC Deb 31 October 1966 vol 735 c29
47. Miss Lestor

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give for each of the years 1963 to 1966 the number of school leavers who had not found employment within three months of leaving school.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

The figures are as follows: 1963, 19,557; 1964, 8,538; 1965, 6,449 and 1966, 7,762.

Miss Lestor

While thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask her whether she is aware that in my constituency the youth employment officer expresses concern whether he will find difficulty in placing school leavers when the next batch leaves? [An HON. MEMBER: "Old Etonians?"] Not only ex-Etonians. Is she aware of this, and could she say whether it is peculiar to Slough or is likely to be repeated in other parts of the country?

Mrs. Williams

In October, 1966, only 1.6 per cent. of the summer leavers known to the Youth Employment Service were still unemployed and prospects in most areas are good. It may be that this is a local difficulty which my hon. Friend may like to raise with us.