HC Deb 20 February 1979 vol 963 cc233-4
8. Mr Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of school leavers unemployed (a) on Merseyside, (b) in Kirkby and (c) in Ormskirk at the latest available date.

Mr. Golding

At 8 February, the provisional numbers of unemployed school leavers in the Merseyside special development area and in the employment office areas of Kirkby and Ormskirk were 4,551, 368 and five respectively.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

Does my hon. Friend accept that those figures are extremely disturbing and give cause for great concern, particularly since employment opportunities for school leavers on Merseyside are contracting rather than expanding? What initatives are the Government taking to deal with this problem? Can my hon. Friend give an assurance that he will use his influence to ensure that the Knowsley local authority becomes part of the pilot scheme experiment for paying school leavers to stay on at school?

Mr. Golding

I cannot give my hon. Friend that last assurance, but I have made four visits to Merseyside since 17 November because I am worried about the situation there. We are expanding community industry on Merseyside considerably and have increased the number of places by 250 in Liverpool, by 125 in Knowsley and by 40 in St, Helens. We have changed the rules for the funding of YOP workshops and have introduced new travel allowances. I would test Mr. Speaker's patience if I were to outline all the changes that we have made this week to respond to the needs of Merseyside.

Mr. Loyden

Has my hon. Friend paid regard to the proposals put forward by the local economic enterprise unit on Merseyside? What is his view about the prospects of that providing long-term employment for young people?

Mr. Golding

This matter will be considered at the next inner city partnership committee meeting in Liverpool.