§ Mr. Kershawasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is aware of the acute shortage of youth leaders in Gloucestershire; what steps he is taking to provide more; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CroslandThe number of full-time youth leaders in England and Wales has increased from 700 to about 1,200 since 1960. There are nevertheless shortages in areas such as Gloucestershire where the development of the youth ser?50W vice has been most impressive. I have no power to direct leaders to these areas. A committee of the Youth Service Development Council is at present considering future recruitment and training in England and Wales as a whole.