HC Deb 29 July 1971 vol 822 cc759-61
7. Mr. Walter Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a further statement on the Government's plans to deal with the problem of finding employment for the 500,000 school leavers who will be seeking jobs at the end of July.

Mr. R. Carr

I have authorised an additional 20 career officer posts in areas of higher employment and career officers in all parts of the country are doing all they can to help school leavers find jobs quickly. The measures the Government are taking to stimulate the economy will progressively improve employment prospects.

Mr. Johnson

May I say from this side of the House—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member may not say; he may ask.

Mr. Johnson

May I put it to the Secretary of State that we are appalled by the Government's complacent attitude to this serious problem? Is he aware that there are tens of thousands of school leavers who will be without jobs for perhaps weeks and months, and that is not an exaggeration? Perhaps he would like to refute the statement by the Prime Minister in that respect. I am pleased to hear what the Secretary of State has said on this—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member has asked two supplementary questions already, and I think that the Minister must now answer.

Mr. Carr

I assure the hon. Gentleman and the House that I am not complacent at all about what is a serious situation, nor are any of my colleagues. In my Department we are concentrating on improving our service for getting people into the jobs which are available with the maximum speed. I have appointed extra careers officers for the purpose. I have publicly appealed to all employers who were cutting down their intake of young people for training to change their minds. But, above all, I repeat, the Government, for the first time for more than seven years, have taken major measures for the expansion of the economy.

Mr. George Thomas

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the number of unfilled vacancies for young people, or older people, in Wales has fallen dramatically and that if he appointed 100 career officers, that would not provide jobs?

Mr. Carr

I am well aware of that, but there is still much to do in getting people to the jobs which are available and doing so as quickly as possible and with as much skill and help as possible. The real need is to expand the economy. From 1964 to 1970 we had complete stagnation; we now have major expansion on the way.

Mr. Normanton

Would my right hon. Friend care to recommend to the hen. Member for Derby, South (Mr. Walter Johnson) and his hon. Friends that one of the best ways in which to promote good prospects for employment in industry for these people would be through their co-operation with the Government about our entering the Common Market?

Mr. Carr

As I have said publicly, I certainly think that the prospects of employment for all ages would be improved by our membership of the Common Market.

Mr. Ted Fletcher

Has the Minister's attention been drawn to the report of the careers officer in the County of Durham saying that of 6,000 school leavers, 3,000 will be unable to obtain immediate employment? What are the Government to do about that?

Mr. Carr

As I have made clear, I am aware of the present serious situation. What the Government are doing about it is to expand the economy, and that has not been done for seven years.