HC Deb 15 November 1977 vol 939 cc173-5W
140. Sir A. Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will issue a progress report on the effects of the Dock Work Regulation Act.

Mr. Harold Walker

The reconstituted National Dock Labour Board came into

40. Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the largest number of unemployed young people (a) on Merseyside, and (b) in Kirkby.

Mr. Golding

At 14th July, the latest date for which the half-yearly age analysis is available, the numbers of unemployed young people under 20 years of age in the Merseyside special development area and the Kirkby employment office area were 31,462 and 1,853 respectively.

Mrs. Bain

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many vacancies are registered in each employment region for the 16 to 18 year old group; and how this compares with the number of young people registered as unemployed in each region.

Mr. Golding

Vacancies held at employment offices and careers offices frequently do not specify particular age ranges such as 16 to 18 and, therefore, age analyses cannot be compiled. The following table gives the numbers unemployed at 14th July 1977, the latest date for which the half-yearly age analysis is available, and shows figures for the age groups 16 to 17 and 18 to 19. It also shows the total numbers unemployed and the total numbers of vacancies—the latter separately for employment offices and careers offices.

being on 1st August in accordance with Section 1 of the Act. The Board will begin its review of existing dock work at scheme ports on 1st December.

Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what will be the make up of the local board for the Haven ports under the new dock labour scheme.

Mr. Harold Walker

Proposals for the constitution of local dock labour boards are contained in Clause 4 of the draft new dock labour scheme. The members of local boards will be appointed by the National Dock Labour Board and will comprise equal numbers of persons to represent workers and employers.

Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what he estimates the Harwich Dock Company will have to pay as a levy under the new dock labour scheme.

Mr. Harold Walker

The levy payable by registered employers under the scheme will be determined by the National Dock Labour Board in accordance with proposals made by the employers' side of the National Joint Council for the Port Transport Industry.

Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Secretary of State for Employment which workers of the Harwich Dock Company will be registered under the new dock labour scheme.

Mr. Harold Walker

Those sections of the Dock Work Regulation Act relating to the classification of work as dock work are not yet in force. When they are, it will be for the National Dock Labour Board, after consultation with those concerned, to recommend to me what work should be classified.