HC Deb 09 December 1971 vol 827 cc1486-7
11. Mr. Grylls

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what advice he has received from the National Youth Employment Council on the reorganisation of the Careers Advisory Service; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Bryan

The majority of the council has advised that the running of the Youth Employment Service should be mandatory for local education authorities and that the service should be made available to all those under 18 and all those in full-time education up to first degree level. I said in answer to an earlier Question that my right hon. Friend expects to announce his plans for the future of the employment service on 14th December. This will include a statement on the Youth Employment Service.

Mr. Grylls

Does my hon. Friend recognise the important rôle of the careers officer in advising young people at school and college? Is he aware that many will welcome his promise of a statement to remove the uncertainty over the future structure of this important service?

Mr. Bryan

I recognise the work which my hon. Friend did in this area in the days when he was with the Inner London Education Authority. There has been a long-standing division of views on this and I am hoping that the review will succeed in solving the problem.

Mrs. Castle

Can we take it that the hon. Gentleman will be making a statement to the House?

Mr. Bryan

That is the form in which it will come.