HC Deb 10 March 1959 vol 601 cc106-7W
Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Labour what provision he has made during each of the last five years to provide training and employment for boys and girls leaving schools in Aberdeen under his jurisdiction; and with what results.

Mr. Wood

The responsibility for training rests with industry itself, and the Aberdeen Education Authority assists by providing a range of preparatory courses. The employment situation for boys and girls has generally been very satisfactory.

Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Labour how many boys and girls, respectively, have left Aberdeen schools during each of the last five years; and, of these, how many have found employment, and in which trades, professions and vocations, how many have failed to secure employment, and how many are now unemployed.

Mr. Wood

The number of boys and girls leaving burgh and grant-aided schools in Aberdeen in each of the last five school years is shown in the following table:

SCHOOL-LEAVERS FROM BURGH AND GRANT-AIDED SCHOOLS
Year* Boys Girls Total
1953–54 1,356 1,339 2,695
1954–55 1,267 1,301 2,568
1955–56 1,172 1,203 2,375
1956–57 1,185 1,235 2,420
1957–58 1,218 1,204 2,422
* Year ending 6th June in each case.

No figures are available to show how many of these entered employment, or in what occupations, though it is clear that the great majority found employment.

The average numbers unemployed were:

Year Boys Girls Total
1954 33 22 55
1955 23 16 39
1956 25 10 35
1957 32 12 44
1958 42 23 65

On 9th February, 1959, the number of school-leavers who had not yet been placed in employment was five boys. These are included in the total of 80 boys and 27 girls who were registered as unemployed on that date.