§ Mr. LIDDALLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what is the estimated increase during the next four years in the number of young persons, aged 14 to 18, available for employment in Great Britain and what steps he proposes to take to implement the recommendation of the consultative committee of the Board that the school-leaving age be raised to 15, either nationally or in districts where juvenile unemployment is exceptionally severe?
Mr. RAMSBOTHAIVIMy Noble Friend understands from his right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that, on the basis of the information at present available, the estimated total increase274W during the next four years as compared with the current year in the number of juveniles between the ages of 14 and 18 in Great Britain, likely to be available for employment, is as follows:—
These figures are based on the census of 1921 and may need some revision when the complete figures of the 1931 census are available. As regards the second part of the question, my Noble Friend would refer to the answer given to the Noble Lady the Member for the Sutton Division (Viscountess Astor) on 9th November, 1933, of which he is sending his hon. Friend a copy.
1934 … … … 55,000 1935 … … … 115,000 1936 … … … 306,000 1937 … … … 443,000