§ 62. Mr. Simmondsasked the Minister of Labour the weekly wage paid to single men of 21 years of age at Ministry of Labour training centres, and the length of time for which this wage may be paid?
§ Mr. TomlinsonThese rates have been fixed so as to be approximately equivalent to those paid to men entering engineering workshops direct for similar employment. Single or married men of 21 and over at Government training centres receive as a starting wage 60s. 6d. per week, and three increments of 5s. a week conditional upon their passing a qualifying test for each increment, making a total wage in the last stage of training of 75s. 6d. a week. Each test is given so soon as it is considered that the man is capable of passing it, but on the average the interval between the tests is about a month. The length of the courses is from four to five months, except in the case of draughtsmen. These men go through a preliminary period in the workshop before undertaking actual training in draughtsmanship. The wage during this period is 60s. 6d., but no increments 441 are given Thereafter increments are given as in the other courses. The starting wage under the other training schemes of the Ministry is the same, but in view of the fact that the courses are shorter and less intensive no increments are given.
§ Mr. SimmondsIs it not a fact, notwithstanding what my hon. Friend has said, that in some cases men are being offered as much as 79s. 6d. a week for two or three months, and does he not think that that is liable to cause grave maladjustment in industry when many of these men cannot hope to receive the same emoluments when once they take up work?
§ Mr. TomlinsonI am not aware of any cases in which more than the amount specified by the Ministry is being paid in the Ministry's establishments.