HC Deb 31 March 1955 vol 539 cc53-5W
Mr. H. Nicholls

asked the Minister of Labour how far results of the inquiry that he has made about the experience of men after their release from National Service are yet available.

Sir W. Monckton

13,010 National Service men who were released from whole-time National Service in September, 1953, were invited to take part in this inquiry. Of these, 10,708, or over 80 per cent. were willing to co-operate, and their experiences up to nine months after their release from service were recorded.

ANALYSIS OF PARTICULAR GROUPS BY MAIN CATEGORIES
(Total number of men interviewed = 10,708)
Part I: Groups based on type of education or training before enlistment
Group Number As percentage of total sample Percentages of Group Total (Column (2)) Uncertain
Settled Unsettled
In Industry In further education Total In industry In further education
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9)
Percent. Percent. Percent. Percent. Percent. Percent. Percent.
1. Left school before 15 years 6 months 6,027 56.3 88.3 — 88.3 8.8 — 2.9
2. Left school or full-time course of further education between 15 years 6 months and 3 months before call-up (inclusive) 3,115 29.1 85.5 8.9 94.4 2.6 — 3.0
3. Left school or full-time course of further education less than 3 months before enlistment 1,566 14.6 39.0 52.5 91.5 4.4 0.1 4.0
4. School Certificate or G.C.E. with 4 or more 1,669 15.6 76.0 18.3 94.3 2.8 — 2.9
5. Higher School Certificate or G.C.E. with 2 or more "A"s 1,215 11.3 30.1 62.8 92.9 3.5 0.1 3.5
6. University or other similar full-time course in further education 386 3.6 86.0 2.3 88.4 4.1 — 7.5
7. Apprenticeship or other systematic training 4,483 41.9 93.3 — 93.3 4.5 — 2.2

The first analyses were directed towards finding out the proportion of men in various groups who in June, 1954, seemed to be satisfactorily settled in civil life either in industry or in further education. The results are set out in the table reproduced below, from which it will be seen that over 90 per cent. may be regarded as satisfactorily settled.

The inquiry has provided a great deal of valuable information, which is being further examined in detail in consultation with the Advisory Council on the Relationship between Employment in the Services and Civilian Life. As soon as this examination is completed a full report will be published.

Following is the table:

Part II: Groups based on number of jobs held before enlistment
8. Number of jobs held before enlistment—
(a) one … 4,842 45.2 94.3 — 94.3 3.4 — 2.3
(b) two … 2,092 19.5 89.8 — 89.8 7.1 — 3.1
(c) three … 980 9.2 84.3 — 84.3 12.3 — 3.4
(d) more than three 683 6.4 73.7 — 73.7 22.8 — 3.5

Part III: Groups based on age on enlistment
9. Age on enlistment—
(a) under 19 … 6,809 63.6 78.2 11.4 89.6 7.2 — 3.2
(b) 19–21 inclusive … 2,383 22.2 78.8 12.0 90.8 6.1 — 3.1
(c) over 21 … 1,516 14.2 91.8 2.6 94.4 2.9 — .7