HC Deb 28 February 1978 vol 945 cc225-9
12. Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current balance, as between boys and girls, unemployed in the 16 to 19 years age groups; and how this will be affected by the Easter school leavers.

Mr. Golding

On 12th January, the latest date for which such figures are available, there were 142,337 boys under 20 unemployed in Great Britain, compared with 132,485 girls. It is not possible to say precisely how this position will be affected by the Easter school leavers, but it is estimated that about 37,000 boys and 34,000 girls will be leaving school this Easter in England and Wales and will be available for employment.

Mr. Hooley

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for that information. Can he say what special steps the Manpower Services Commission is taking to train girls in industrial skills, since there is a shortage of skilled workers in industry that is constantly creating a bottleneck in development?

Mr. Golding

Special facilities have been made available by the Manpower Services Commission to the Training Services Agency for the training of girls. In addition, a great deal of emphasis has been placed upon the work experience programme, in which girls have had a disproportionate number of places.

Mr. Scott

Is the Minister aware that there will be widespread concern over this morning's announcement about the youth opportunities programme, to the effect that there are still no guidelines for the recruitment of the persons who are to train the young people involved? Does he realise that the programme is designed to start on 1st April and that all we have had today is information that should have been produced last November? Will the Minister put a rocket behind the Manpower Services Commission?

Mr. Golding

One reason why decisions have been delayed is to do with the consultations that hon. Members and Ministers have had with the Manpower Services Commission over its original proposals. I shall, however, pass on to the Commission the hon. Gentleman's disquiet.

Mr. Gerry Fowler

Is my hon. Friend aware that, despite what he has said, one month before it is due to start there are still no guidelines to assist those who are to run the schemes? Is he aware of the report today of the difficulties with the training workshops? Does he realise that there are problems with the employment induction schemes and the skill-centres? Is he further aware that many of us are concerned that the Government's objectives in this programme may well not be realised?

Mr. Golding

My hon. Friend has pressed on me time and again the need for there to be local involvement in decision-making. The area boards have just been established and are just meeting. There would have been criticism in the House if guidelines that were too firm had been laid down covering the local people and allowing no expression of their views.

Mr. Freud

Since the youth employment subsidy is ending on 31st March, may I ask the Minister to confirm that all of those who were previously eligible for that subsidy will be included in the new youth opportunities programme, which we all welcome?

Mr. Golding

Those who were included in the youth employment subsidy will be included in one scheme or another— either the youth opportunities programme or the special temporary employment programme.

14. Mr. Haselhurst

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he last met the Chairman of the Manpower Services Commission to discuss youth unemployment; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Booth

I frequently meet the Chairman of the Manpower Services Commission to discuss a wide range of issues, including youth unemployment.

Mr. Haselhurst

What contingency plans does the Secretary of State have for dealing with the problem of youth unemployment if, as seems likely, looking at the prospects for employment in this country, the youth opportunities programme announced officially today, however welcome, is unable to match up to the realities of the position?

Mr. Booth

The youth opportunities programme is based upon the best possible calculation that can be made of the needs of young people leaving school this year. It will bring about a doubling of provision in the 16–18 age range, produc- ing about 240,000 places. Our experience of job creation and work experience programmes indicates that, with the improvements that the Government brought about in the youth opportunities programme, this will assist the vast majority of young people in obtaining work.

Mr. Molloy

Does my right hon. Friend agree that, welcome though the statement that he has made is, what the Government ought now to be considering is a massive refurbishing of all our social services, particularly the National Health Service? This will involve the spending of a considerable amount of public money. Is he aware that by so doing the Government will be calling the Tories' bluff, since they want unemployment to be reduced but insist that the Government must not indulge in any form of public spending?

Mr. Booth

I agree with the implications of my hon Friend's question. It is the case that over the past 10 years a large part of the diminution of employment in our manufacturing industry has been offset by the increase in employment implicit in the raising of the standards of social services. I urge hon. Members to consider that, if they wish to press this line for dealing with unemployment—I shall listen to it sympathetically—it cannot be squared entirely with the calls for massive reductions in taxation.

Mr. Scott

Will the right hon. Gentleman remember that the success of the youth opportunities programme depends to a large extent on voluntary organisations and voluntary effort? Is he aware that there is immense frustration among those organisations because they have still not been told the basis on which they are expected to work, starting on 1st April?

Mr. Booth

I agree with the hon. Gentleman. The success of the youth opportunities programme depends to an enormous extent on the support it receives from the voluntary organisations, employers, unions and community bodies. It is not my experience, going round the country and talking to these people, that they are unaware of the seven main elements of the programme. Many of them have already had discussions with people in the local manpower services committees to work out the ways in which they can operate within the programme.

Mr. Litterick

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in Birmingham garage proprietors are being forced to wait for many months by the Road Transport Industry Training Board before receiving a response to requests for sponsorship for apprentices? Is he further aware that in many cases employers with a good apprenticeship training record have been disappointed in their requests for financial support this year? Does he agree that this is discouraging youth employment and adding to Birmingham's already difficult problems? Will he undertake to look into this question?

Mr. Booth

I shall certainly undertake to look into this matter. We have been trying to give priority to increasing the number of apprenticeships which can be run by the award and training grant system. If there is a particular problem in that area, we can bring our Department's resources to bear upon it.

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