§ 18. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will give the latest figures for the youth employment situation in Scotland.
§ Mr. FernyhoughAt mid-December 1968, 2,909 young persons were registered as unemployed at youth employment offices in Scotland and there were 5,797 unfilled vacancies for young persons.
§ Mr. DalyellAre not these significant figures a reflection of the success of the Government's development area policy in Scotland?
§ Mr. FernyhoughI think that they are. What is even more important is that in the first 11 months of last year 46.4 per cent. of those entering employment in Scotland went into apprenticeships as against 43.1 per cent. for Great Britain as a whole.
§ Mrs. EwingWhat is the prospect up to the end of 1969? How many unemployed youths will there be in Scotland? Can the hon. Gentleman give even a rough estimate?
§ Mr. FernyhoughIf the hon. Lady had listened, she would have understood that there are far more vacancies than young persons unemployed. There are 125 vacancies for every 100 young men unemployed and over 300 vacancies for every 100 young girls unemployed. It may sometimes be difficult, because of geography, lo match the job with the needs of the young person concerned. But, taking Scotland as a whole, the position from the point of view of young people is very healthy indeed.