HC Deb 14 October 1968 vol 770 cc21-3
34. Mr. Cordle

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many persons under 25 years of age are now registered as unemployed; and what are the numbers in that category who have been in receipt of unemployment and social security payments for periods exceeding three months and six months, respectively.

Mr. Fernyhough

At 8th July, 1968, the latest date for which a detailed age analysis is available, 119,000 persons under 25 years of age were registered as wholly unemployed in Great Britatin. Of these, 29,000 had been on the registers for more than three months and 14,500 for more than six months. The numbers in receipt of unemployment benefit and/or social security payments are not analysed either by age groups or by the length of time for which they have received these payments.

Mr. Cordle

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that adequate powers are enforceable at local Ministry offices to ensure that able-bodied persons in this category will take up any reasonable employment so as to relieve the national burden on our funds?

Mr. Fernyhough

I am satisfied that the vast majority of the people registering and receiving benefit are genuinely unemployed and also that among the unemployed there is a small minority—as in all sections of the community—who will take advantage of and abuse whatever they can. I assure the hon. Gentleman that we have sufficient powers to protect public funds from abuse by people of that kind and the Minister of Social Security is taking effective steps to do so.

Miss Herbison

Is my hon. Friend aware that, as a result of the survey carried out by the Minister of Social Security, it was proved that 140,000 men who were working every day were bringing home less than the National Assistance Board level at that time? Surely that proves that the vast majority of people in Britain want work if there is work and that only a very tiny majority neither work nor want work?

Mr. Fernyhough

I readily agree with my right hon. Friend.

Mr. R. Carr

Then why do the Government not repeal the fixing of wages by law?

Mr. Fernyhough

That is a matter which, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, is under consideration following the Donovan Report.

Mr. Heffer

Would my hon. Friend not agree that a figure of 119,000 people under 25 being unemployed is far too high? What steps are being taken by the Government to bring down this level of unemployment, particularly for these young people?

Mr. Fernyhough

My hon. Friend should know that my political life would have been in vain if I subscribed to unemployment under any circumstances. So long as I speak from this Box as a junior Minister I shall do everything I possibly can—and get my colleagues to do likewise—to reduce the numbers.

Mr. Scott

Will the hon. Gentleman acknowledge that he has been speaking from that Box at a time when unemployment has been higher than at any time since the war? Second, when will we have a statement about the future of the Youth Employment Service?

Mr. Fernyhough

I can make no statement today on the latter point. As to my having been speaking from this Box at a time of high unemployment, I readily acknowledge that and hope that, before I leave, it will be lower than ever before.

Mr. Manuel

But would my hon. Friend not agree that in many areas the figures are swollen because, despite all the inducements, private enterprise will not enter those areas? Therefore, should he not recommend to whoever is responsible that publicly owned and operated factories should go into those areas?

Mr. Fernyhough

I can only say that I have no disagreement with that statement.