§ 29. Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions have taken place, and with 439 what result, about the possibility of the appointment of vocation officers in schools or groups of schools with particular regard to helping with the employment problems of coloured school-leavers.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI do not know of any such discussions but in providing a vocational guidance and employment service for school-leavers, youth employment officers pay particular attention to the difficulties of coloured young people and teachers help and advise them with special reference to pupils' suitability for different kinds of employment.
§ Mr. ChapmanHas not there been—and have not other Members of the Government expressed some support for the idea that there should be—some particular help in these areas for young people, particularly children of immigrants, and that people specially trained for the job should be made available to offer the advice?
§ Mr. HowellAs I have explained already to the House, I am at the moment engaged on visiting all the local education authorities mainly involved in this question. I can assure my hon. Friend that this is specifically one of the questions which I raise. It is extremely important to strengthen youth employment staffs in advance of the large numbers of people coming through the schools. I am anxious to encourage that in every way.