§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish the number of persons at the most recent date unemployed by age groups, showing what percentage of each age group is unemployed and what percentage of the total unemployed of all ages is represented by the unemployed of each age group.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithThe numbers registered as wholly unemployed are analysed by age groups in January and July each year. Following is the information for January, 1972:
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkNo general shortage of labour for these operations is expected. While there could be a shortage of men with certain skills, numbers are difficult to predict in view of the nature of exploration itself.
The Petroleum Industry Training Board is well aware of the need to make provision for special training arrangements 79W in this period of expanding operations. Discussions are currently being held with a number of drilling companies with the object of setting up training facilities based on Aberdeen. My Department is keeping in close touch with these activities.
§ Mr. Ian Campbellasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the number of new jobs which will be created by the North Sea oil developments.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkWhile it is not possible to make a precise estimate, these developments are likely to provide a substantial and growing number of jobs.