§ Mr. Norman Hoggasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report the youth unemployment figures for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth district for each year since 1975; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alexander Fletcher[pursuant to his reply, 3 May 1983, c. 48]: The following table shows the average numbers of young people under 20 registered as unemployed in the Cumbernauld and Kilsyth jobcentre areas—which between them cover most of Cumbernauld and Kilsyth district—for each full year since 1975.
Average number of unemployed people under 20 years of age in each year Cumbernauld Kilsyth 1975 332 34 1976 382 23 1977 438 39 1978 454 48 1979 400 41 1980 516 51 1981 763 88 1982 933 111 Notes:
(i) Adult students registered for vocational employment were included in the totals until March 1976.
(ii) The analysis of the unemployed by age was undertaken twice yearly until 1977, three times per year in 1978 and quarterly thereafter.
(iii) Figures for January 1975 were not produced owing to industrial action; the figures for 1975 are for July 1975.
(iv) Between 1975 and 1982, unemployed young people in the Kilsyth area registered for employment at careers offices were not separately counted and were included in the totals for the Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch careers offices.
I recognise that rising unemployment has made it increasingly difficult for young people to obtain employment or training. That is why we are introducing a comprehensive new youth training scheme from September which will bring major improvements in training opportunities for young people in Cumbernauld, Kilsyth, and elsewhere, whether unemployed or in a job.