§ Dr. Godmanasked the secretary of state for Scotland what action he proposes to take in order to reduce the level of unemployment among 16 to 18-year-olds in Greenock and port Glasgow in 1984.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe Government have invested considerable resources in the youth training scheme which is available for all unemployed 16-year-old and some 17-year-old school leavers. In the Renfrew, Dumbarton and Argyll area, 3,313 YTS start certificates were issued between 1 April and 31 December 1983. Corresponding information for Greenock and Port Glasgow is not available. Participation in the scheme will enhance employment potential of the young people involved. For one year from April 1984, eligibility for the young workers scheme will be limited to 17-year-olds, providing an opportunity for progression from the youth training scheme. At 13 February 1984, 331 applications for support under the young workers scheme had been approved in the Greenock and Port Glasgow area.
§ Mr. David Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the numbers of male and female unemployed adults and young persons in the Shettleston constituency; and what percentage of the population of the area this represents.
§ Mr. Allan Stewart[pursuant to his reply, 9 February 1984, c. 763]: The table shows the number of claimants aged under 18 years and 18 years and over on 13 October 1983—the latest date for which information is available — in the jobcentre areas of Glasgow Central and Parkhead whose areas fall mainly or partly within the Shettleston constituency. Rates of unemployment for different age groups are calculated by expressing the number of people unemployed in the age group as a percentage of the total number of employees — both employed and unemployed — in the same age group. Because estimates of the number of employees in different age groups are available only at national level, it is not possible to estimate rates by age for individual areas.
Unemployed claimants at 13 October 1983 Under 18 years 18 years and over Males Females Males Females Glasgow Central 123 82 1,804 443 Parkhead 647 448 7,257 2,440 Total 770 530 9,061 2,883