§ 5. Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total unemployment rate among 16 to 24-year-olds; and what is the comparable figure for young black people.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. Alan Clark)The 1983 labour force survey recorded 21 per cent. of 16 to 24-year-olds as unemployed in the second quarter of 1983; the comparable rate for young members of ethnic minorities was 30 per cent.
§ Mr. DubsIs the Minister aware that those figures are absolutely appalling, because they imply that a generation of young people are to have no hope? What does the Minister intend to do about the particularly high unemployment among young blacks? Has he any policies to tackle this problem, bearing in mind the major element of discrimination that must exist against them for that level of unemployment to be higher than for the general age group?
§ Mr. ClarkThis group does face problems. The hon. Member is entirely right. As he knows, however, we recognise these problems. The Manpower Services Commission has the facility to make additional provision for disadvantaged groups. In fact, as the hon. Gentleman knows, there is a 30 per cent. ethnic take-up of youth training schemes in the London area.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryDoes my hon. Friend agree that a major barrier to higher employment is the fact that average wages are rising quite fast in real terms, which means that wages are shared among fewer people? Will my hon. Friend impress on trade unions and others the need for moderation in wage settlements in the interests of higher employment?
§ Mr. ClarkMy hon. Friend is entirely right, and the young workers' scheme is designed with this purpose very much in mind. The ethnic groups are to some extent concentrated in the industries and occupations which were the first to feel the impact of high unemployment and which will, unfortunately, be the last to see it recede.
§ Mr. LeightonIs the Minister aware that in the London borough of Newham some 1,700 youngsters in this age group and some 600 aged 19 and over have never had a job? Does he appreciate that, by creating these conditions, the Government are creating the conditions that breed crime?
§ Mr. ClarkThe take-up in employment of youngsters leaving the YTS is higher than during an earlier period when Mrs. Williams, who then held a position in the Government of the hon. Member's party, did not encourage the employment of people from TOPS courses. The position is improving as the take-up from the youth training scheme improves.
§ Mr. BudgenIs my hon. Friend aware that if he pursues policies of reverse discrimination in favour of black people, he will damage those people further by creating resentment against them from the remainder of the population?
§ Mr. ClarkMy hon. Friend is right. It is a fact that resources devoted to young people will diminish if they are concentrated on one particular sector. It will mean less to go round the remainder.