§ Mr. Leeasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of persons under the age of 20 years registered in Birmingham as unemployed at the latest count; what are the comparable figures for the end of March 1970. 1973 and 1975, respectively.
§ Mr. GoldingThe numbers registered as unemployed are analysed by age in January and July each year. The monthly figures which began in November have proved to be insufficiently accurate and publication has been suspended. In the area covered by the Birmingham, Aston, Handsworth, Selly Oak, Small Heath, Sutton Coldfield and Washwood Heath employment offices the numbers unemployed aged under 20 were 1,221 in January 1970, 3,106 in January 1973 and 7,412 in January 1976. Information for January 1975 was not collected because of industrial action at local offices of the Employment Service Agency. Adult students are excluded from the figure for January 1976 but were included at earlier dates.