§ Q5. Mr. Tebbitasked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the coordination between the Department of Employment and the Department of the Environment on the National Association of Youth Clubs' scheme for special work groups of young unemployed people; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. All the Departments concerned will be closely watching the outcome of this experimental scheme to employ young people in activities of social value, especially on environmental improvement and community work.
§ Mr. TebbitIs my right hon. Friend aware that this has been welcomed widely as a constructive new idea—[Interruption.]
258 Is not that so? Will my right hon. Friend consider expanding it, not merely in time beyond the present phase of high unemployment, but over other parts of the countryside, and will he ensure that there is adequate consultation between other Departments concerned? One which obviously springs to mind is the Department of Education and Science.
§ The Prime MinisterAs I emphasised in my original reply, this is an experimental scheme. It is right that we have adopted the suggestion made to us and carried it out. It is also right that we should get experience of its practical operation before extending it more widely to other parts of the country.
Consultations have been carried on between Government Departments and with a wide variety of other bodies, including local authorities, employers and the T.U.C.
§ Mr. Denis HowellHaving regard to the marginal effect that this scheme will have, is not it remarkable that the Department of Education and Science has not been able to announce a grant for the continuation of the Young Volunteer Force Foundation? I know of the right hon. Gentleman's approval of this body. Will he take that under his wing, because it is more likely to be beneficial to the youth voluntary service?
As for unemployment among young people, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that nothing can be more degrading or soul-destroying for young people than having to start off on a life of work on a voluntary basis, which is no adequate substitute for full employment?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman knows, because he is also concerned, that I attach the highest importance to this matter, and it is under consideration. However, these two schemes are not exclusive. We can carry on both at the same time. But in the case of the one that I am discussing at the moment, the jobs will be real jobs. I do not think the hon. Gentleman meant to give the impression that there was something not really substantial about them.
§ Mr. MolloyAdmirable though the scheme may be, does the Prime Minister expect young people to take it seriously when they have to spend so much time 259 looking for work? Many of them, having spent years in apprenticeships in the engineering and allied industries, now find that they cannot be involved in voluntary work because they spend too much time in dole queues. Should not this be the priority, rather than the suggestions which have been made?
§ The Prime MinisterThe first priority must be to find employment for school leavers and young people. But the National Association of Youth Clubs devised a scheme and presented it to us, and it is right that we should implement it on an experimental basis and judge from our experience whether we should extend it further.