§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will seek to amend the law to enable school leavers whose sixteenth birthday falls in the summer, between the end of the summer term and before the beginning of the new school year, to commence full-time employment upon leaving school and before their sixteenth birthday.
§ Mr. ArmstrongI have been asked to reply in so far as the Question arises from the provisions of the Education Act 1962 relating to school leaving dates.
I understand that there is no legal barrier to the employment of young people in these circumstances. Inquiries as to the provisions regarding national insurance should be made to the local office of the Department of Health and Social Security.