§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Employment what special facilities are available to help young ex-offenders find work; what plans he has to increase those; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Jim Lester[pursuant to his reply, 10 November 1980, c. 16]: Local education authority careers officers and employment advisers of the employment service division (ESD) of the Manpower Services Commission co-operate with probation officers concerned with the resettlement of young ex-offenders by providing, on request, careers guidance and assistance in securing suitable employment.
Young ex-offenders in penal institutions receive a pre-release interview on request. This establishes contact with the careers office or local offices of ESD with a view to post-release advice, placing action and referral to other services such as training or employment rehabilitation. I have no plans to seek to change the present arrangements.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage 190W of former young offenders is unemployed; how this compares with the previous five years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Jim Lester[pursuant to his reply, 10 November 1980, c. 16]. Statistics to show the percentage of former young offenders who are unemployed are not kept by either the careers service of offices of the employment service division of the Manpower Services Commission who share responsibility for providing a placing and employment advice service to young ex-offenders.