HC Deb 18 October 1971 vol 823 cc346-7
6. Mr. McBride

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will institute an inquiry into the social problems of unemployment among school leavers in Wales.

Mr. Peter Thomas

Both my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment and I have these problems under continuous review, but I will certainly consider whether any further study will be helpful.

Mr. McBride

Is not such an inquiry into this unique problem long overdue? Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that this social evil carries with it frustration for young people and could lead eventually to the sowing of the seeds of the depopulation of Wales? Do technological changes diminish the opportunities available to those who stay? Can he not expedite matters?

Mr. Peter Thomas

I agree that unemployment among young people can be demoralising. It is a serious matter, to which particular attention has to be paid, and we are giving it that attention. The answer at the moment is to restore the confidence of industry and to get the economy moving, thereby creating more jobs.

Mr. Fred Evans

Is not the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the figures produced by a study made by his own office of the Rhymney Valley reveal a tragedy, which has deepened since the publication of that study? To that must be added the heavy emigration of those school leavers who are not content to stay in Wales to look for a job. We are constantly being told that improvement is imminent and that policies are about to succeed, but it is always "jam tomorrow", improvements around the corner. The people of Wales are waiting for action to alleviate the problem. If that action is not quickly forthcoming, the people of Wales will never forgive the Government.

Mr. Peter Thomas

The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that there is a time lag between cause and effect in levels of unemployment. He will have appreciated the massive efforts which have been made recently by the Chancellor of the Exchequer both in his Budget and in his July measures, and the various measures which have been announced for the development areas, all of them giving a boost to the economy and all of which will have an effect on jobs.