HC Deb 06 December 1974 vol 882 c645W
Mr. Edge

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will issue a statement outlining Government policy towards the youth service;

(2) if he will establish a youth service consultative council, such as the now abolished Youth Service Development Council, to advise his Department on matters concerning the youth service.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

My right hon. Friend is considering how he can best assist the development of the youth service in present circumstances.

Mr. Edge

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to extend the provision of youth service training courses in colleges of education.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

My right hon. Friend is considering proposals from a number of colleges of education to mount youth and community work courses as part of their plans to diversify training.

Mr. Edge

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will introduce legislation to make it mandatory for local authorities to provide a youth service.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

No. Sections 41(6) and 53(1) of the Education Act 1944, as amended, lay upon local education authorities a duty to secure the adequacy of leisure time facilities for young people. The facilities described in these sections are those generally accepted as constituting a youth service.