HC Deb 18 November 1925 vol 188 cc407-9W
Mr. SHORT

asked the Minister of Labour the number of juveniles placed in employment by the Wednesbury, Tipton, and Darlaston Employment Exchanges, respectively, during the current year?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

During the period 6th January, 1925, to 9th

the new duties imposed under the Finance Act, 1925; and what were the corresponding figures on 30th June?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

As the reply involves a number of figures, I will, with the permission of my hon. Friend, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the statement promised:

November, the number of juveniles placed in employment by the Employment Exchanges in question was 413 at Wednesbury, 187 at Tipton, and 133 at Darlaston.

Mr. MACLEAN

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there are at least 300,000 young persons between the ages of 14 years and 17 years who have been unable to find employment since leaving school; whether he has any schemes under consideration whereby those young persons can receive either vocational or technical training; and, it so, whether these schemes propose some form of maintenance allowance to those taking advantage of the schemes?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

The information in possession of the Ministry of Labour as to the numbers of young persons aged 14 to 18 who are unemployed is not complete, since the lower age limit for insurance is 16. Such information as is available, however, goes to show that the figure of 300,000 mentioned by the hon. Member is much above the mark. The hon. Member is no doubt aware of the appointment of committees on the question of juvenile employment for England and Scotland, respectively, whose terms of reference would cover the second and third parts of his question. He is also no doubt aware of the existence of the juvenile unemployment centres in many parts of the country.

Colonel DAY

asked the Minister of Labour the number of juveniles under the age of 18 years registered as unemployed at the Walworth Road Employment Exchange at the latest convenient date, together with the number registered at the same period last year?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

At 9th November, 1925, there were on the register of the Borough Employment Exchange 188 boys and 256 girls, as compared with 321 boys and 326 girls at 10th November, 1924.