§ 4. Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the proportion of young people currently staying at school after reaching the statutory school leaving date both in the West Riding of Yorkshire and in the area where the highest proportion occurs.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. William van Straubenzee)For maintained secondary schools, 49 per cent. and 83 per cent. in January, 1971. The average for England and Wales was 56 per cent.
§ Mr. HardyThe number of young people staying on at school in the West Riding has increased in the last year or two, but is the hon. Gentleman aware that the principal reason for it is the very serious unemployment problem facing the country? Will the hon. Gentleman give an estimate of the numbers of people staying on at school because of unemployment in the West Riding and in the other area referred to in the Question?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeI doubt whether that is so because, unhappily, this is a feature of school life throughout the country. However, I accept that there is nothing like a sufficient number of people staying on at school in the West Riding, and this is one of the justifications for the statutory raising of the school leaving age.