HC Deb 11 December 1985 vol 88 c689W
18. Mr. Ron Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many young people under the age of 25 years are currently unemployed in the Lothian region and Leith, respectively.

Mr. Allan Stewart

The information as at 10 October, the latest date for which figures are available, may be obtained from the House of Commons Library for both Lothian region and the Edinburgh, Leith constituency.

32. Mr. Milian

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the latest unemployment figures for Scotland.

Mr. Younger

On 14 November 1985 the number of unemployed claimants in Scotland was 351,463, a fall of 1,848 from the October figure. The seasonally adjusted figure shows a similar fall.

42. Mr. MacKenzie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the most up-to-date youth unemployment figures in Scotland.

Mr. Younger

At 10 October 1985, the latest date for which information is available, the number of unemployed claimants in Scotland under the age of 18 was 27,908. This figure shows an overall improvement on the position 12 months previously when the figure stood at 30,228, a reduction of 2,320. The Government are, of course, committing considerable resources through the youth training scheme to improving young people's skills and thus their employment prospects. With the expansion of the scheme from next April, all young people under 18 will have the opportunity to obtain a recognised vocational qualification.