§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is aware that an increasing burden of unemployment in London's inner city areas is being shouldered by young people, particularly among ethnic groups causing serious social problems, that 42 per cent. of registered unemployed in Lambeth in October, 1977, were young coloured workers, that the number of black unemployed in Lambeth in October, 1977, were young coloured workers, that the number of black unemployed in London has risen by 350 per cent. since 1974 compared with a rise of 120 per cent. in total London figures; and what action he has taken or intends taking to deal with this problem.
§ Mr. GoldingI am aware that unemployment in London's inner city areas has192W increased in recent years amongst all age and ethnic groups. In February 1978. young unemployed people from ethnic minorities comprised 10.4 per cent. of all those registered as unemployed in the Brixton employment office area, which forms a major part of the borough of Lambeth. In the Greater London area unemployment among ethnic minorities increased by 240 per cent. between February 1974 and February 1978, compared with an increase in total unemployment in London of 168 per cent. over the same period.
The special measures introduced by my Department have so far helped over 28,750 people in the Greater London area, and the introduction of the youth opportunities programme will give further substantial assistance to unemployed young people of whatever ethnic origin.
The three inner city partnerships which the Government have offered in London will further help, through co-ordinated efforts to re-generate the economies of their areas, to alleviate the unemployment problems affecting inner London.