HC Deb 13 July 1983 vol 45 cc375-6W
Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to reduce youth unemployment in the Belfast travel-to-work area; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Butler

Northern Ireland has its own youth training programme, which guarantees a full year of training and vocational preparation for each minimum age school leaver who fails to find employment. The programme also provides a range of opportunities for 17-year-olds. This year 34 per cent. of the total provision is concentrated on the Belfast travel-to-work area. This will mean 2,451 places for 16-year-olds and 2,210 places for 17-year-olds.

In addition, the young workers scheme together with other employment and training grant schemes operated by the Department of Economic Development, are available to employers in the Belfast travel-to-work area as they are to employers in other areas.

I am confident that these schemes will continue to make a significant contribution towards reducing youth unemployment while providing training and work experience.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the level of unemployment in the Belfast travel-to-work area; and what was the level in June 1979.

Mr. Butler

At 9 June 1983 the number of unemployed claimants in Belfast travel-to-work area was 50.260, an unemployment rate of 16.4 per cent. Claimant based unemployment figures by travel-to-work area are not available for June 1979. However, on the basis of registrations at job markets, the number of unemployed in the Belfast travel-to-work area in June 1979 was 27,687, an unemployment rate of 9 per cent.