HC Deb 12 March 1981 vol 1000 cc365-6W
Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total number of persons

Mr. Peter Morrison

The statistics do not indicate the numbers of last year's school leavers who are still unemployed. The following table gives the numbers of unemployed school leavers under 18 years of age in the areas specified at March 1980, before the Easter leaving date, and at February 1981.

13 March 1980 12 February 1981 (provisional)
North-West Region 4,653 12,489
Merseyside Special Development Area 2,948 5,425
Kirkby employment office area 240 352
Ormskirk employment office area 7 22

The hon. Member will know that last November my right hon, Friend announced major improvements in the youth opportunities programme designed to help unemployed young people.