§ 8. Mr. Horamasked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of youths under 18 years of age unemployed in the North East at the latest available date.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithTwo thousand four hundred and twenty-six boys under 18 were registered as unemployed on 12th March.
§ Mr. HoramIs the hon. Gentleman aware that he has given me only half the figure? What about the number of girls who were unemployed? Does he agree that the percentage reduction is very small by comparison with the general fall in unemployment? Is not that disturbing?
§ Mr. SmithIn recent months there has been a steady improvement for all young people in the North East. On 12th March 4,252 young people under 18— that is, 2,426 boys and 1,826 girls—were registered as unemployed. The number has fallen from 15,000 since August 1972 and includes a fall of 700 over the past month. The situation in the North East is not good but it is improving.
§ Mr. R. W. ElliottIs my hon. Friend aware that the take-up in the Northern Region of the greatly improved incentives to incoming industry is way ahead of that of any other area? Does he appreciate that there is now much greater hope for unemployed young people, male or female, than there ever was during Labour's six and a half years in office?
§ Mr. SmithMy hon. Friend always approaches these matters sensibly and realistically. That is the position. However much the Opposition may pretend otherwise, it is a fact.