§ Mr. Redmondasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she is aware of the concern of many firms over the effect of the raising of the school leaving age on the number of boys available for craft apprentice intake in summer 1972; and what advice she can give to such employers in view of the fact that manpower planning is done on a long-term basis.
§ Mrs. ThatcherThe immediate impact of this change on the intake of school leavers into employment will be felt in 1973 rather than 1972. The implications were drawn to the attention of Industrial Training Boards in 1969, so that they might offer appropriate advice to employers in their industries. I understand also that the Central Youth Employment Executive is to issue a memorandum on the subject to all Youth Employment Committees, on which local employers are represented. All employers affected should thus be well aware of the consequences of the change and able to plan their recruitment and training programmes accordingly.