§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Employment by how much he estimates the unemployment figures have been reduced in, respectively, the United Kingdom, Great Britain and England and Wales on a cumulative basis at Christmas 1972, Easter 1973 and summer 1973 as a result of the raising of the school leaving age.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithThe estimated reduction in the number of school leavers during the 1972–73 school year was as follows:
Great Britain England and Wales Christmas 1972 -8,000 unaffected Easter 1973 -68,000 -58,000 Summer 1973 -212,000 -191,000 Totals -288,000 -249,000 (Comparable figures for the whole of the United Kingdom are not readily available.)
I regret that I cannot give a reliable estimate of the direct effect of the raising of the school leaving age on unemployment figures. The main reason for reduced unemployment during 1973 has been the improvement in the economy and the consequent substantial increase in job opportunities for both young people and adults. Because of this the number of outstanding vacancies for young people rose from 47,000 in September 1972 to 123,000 in September 1973.