HC Deb 24 July 1978 vol 954 cc578-9W
Mr. Haselhurst

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether his Department has continued to monitor the employment situation of young people who left work experience schemes by summer 1977 to establish the percentage remaining wholly unemployed on 30th June; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Golding

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the information requested is not available. However, I understand that the Commission proposes to contact again a sample of young people previously interviewed who had left work experience schemes by the summer of 1977. Subject to consultations on this study, the results should be available by the end of this year. The study would establish the young person's present employment position including experience and duration of any unemployment.

Mr. Haselhurst

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether his Department has completed a follow-up survey on young people who joined work experience schemes in the first and second quarters of 1977 to establish how many have subsequently gained full-time employment; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Golding

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that it has not carried out a survey relating to the period in question. However, the Commission is planning to conduct a follow-up survey of young people who joined work experience schemes in the second and third quarters of 1977. If this survey proceeds as planned, the results would be available later this year.

Mr. Haselhurst

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will supply a breakdown by geographical region of the numbers of young people who have gained employment after leaving work experience schemes in 1977.

Mr. Golding

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the breakdown of the subsequent employment position by work experience programme areas of a sample of young people who left work experience schemes in the first half of 1977 is as follows:

(1) Percentage entering full and part-time employment including apprenticeship immediately on leaving scheme—

Per cent.
Total Great Britain 63
London/South East 69
South West 65
Midlands 66
Yorks and Humberside 61
North West 63
North 67
Wales 56
Scotland 48

Note.—A further 1 per cent. throughout Great Britain entered full-time education or training.

(2) Percentage in full and part-time employment at time of survey interview:

Per cent.
Total Great Britain 73
London/South East 74
South West 78
Midlands 79
Yorks and Humberside 69
North West 72
North 67
Wales 65
Scotland 63

Note.—Another 3 per cent. of the sample entered full-time education or training. A further 11 per cent. of the sample had held a job at some time between leaving the scheme and the time of the interview although they were unemployed at the time of contact.