17. Mrs. RenéeShort asked the Secretary of State for Employment what action he is taking to reduce the unemployment amongst young people, including school-leavers, in Wolverhampton, especially those who have been unemployed since leaving school last summer.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithThe great majority of the summer term school-leavers in Wolverhampton have now found jobs. In January there were 301 unemployed young people, including 68 school-leavers. Careers officers are doing all they can to find work for them and the Government's economic measures should improve job opportunities.
Mrs. ShortDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that in the West Midlands for over 25 years the unemployment level has been below 1 per cent. but that now over 100 young people who left school last summer have not yet been able to find a job? The hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well when the next lot of school-leavers will be looking for jobs. Is it not time he shook himself out of his complacent attitude and did something specific for the young jobless, who will be turning to other kinds of activities less acceptable to society if they are unemployed for much longer?
§ Mr. SmithFar from being complacent, the Department has done reasonably well in assisting the placing of school-leavers in the area. Despite the decline in industrial activity, less than 3 per cent. of the 2,000 or so summer term school-leavers are still registered as unemployed. I know the situation is not good in Wolverhampton, but as a Midlands Member myself I am confident that in due course the prosperity of the area will be maintained and improved.