§ 13. Mr. Berminghamasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the number of young people who will finish their year of youth training scheme and will not subsequently find employment.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonIt is not possible at present to estimate how many youngsters will find jobs on completion of their training programme. Some 90 per cent. of those joining the youth training scheme in 1983 will not have completed their training before August this year.
§ Mr. BerminghamDoes the Minister agree that to offer a young person a place on a training programme for one year and then to cast him back on the dole queue is nothing more than an indictment on our society, and that, in reality, that is what will happen in the forthcoming period?
§ Mr. MorrisonI certainly do not agree with what the hon. Gentleman said at the end of his question. I agree entirely that the youth training scheme is designed to prepare youngsters for the world of work. That is precisely what it is doing. If the hon. Gentleman were to come with me and visit places round the country where the scheme operates, he would find that the youngsters would say that to him as well as to me.