§ Mr. S. O. Daviesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education (I) the number of graduates of the University of Wales who are at present unemployed; and the number who have been unemployed for six months or more during the years 1930 to 1936;
(2) the number of graduates of the University of Wales who, during the years 1930 to 1936, inclusive, though trained for the teaching profession, have been compelled to accept posts other than those for which they had qualified academically;
(3) whether he will institute an inquiry into the causes of unemployment among graduates of the University of Wales, with a view, inter alia, to assisting those unfortunately placed to obtain posts for which they have qualified?
Mr. LindsayThe general problem of employment of graduates is not one for the board, but is primarily the concern of the university authorities. I have no exact statistics such as the hon. Member asks for in his questions, but I would direct his attention to the remarks on this subject relating to Wales contained in the recent general report of the University Grants Committee. I would also direct his attention to the most recent report on the work of the Appointments Board of the University of Wales for the year 1st September, 1935, to 31st August, 1936. I am sending copies of these reports to the hon. Member.
As regards persons who have trained for the teaching profession at University Training Departments in Wales, the total number of teachers, graduates and others, 1793W who are reported to have sought for teaching employment and failed to obtain such employment within six months of leaving the Training Department in the years 1930 to 1935 inclusive is 555. This number was reduced within the succeeding 12 months to 247.