§ 30. Sir HENRY CRAIKasked the Minister of Labour whether obstacles have been raised by trade unions to the apprenticeship of young men who have been discharged from the Army after serving for four or five years, during which they would have been apprenticed had this not been prevented by military service, and that similar obstacles have been raised by trade unions to their employment in the trade which they propose to follow; and what action he proposes to take in view of this?
§ Lieut.-Colonel GILMOURIf the hon. Member is referring to the case of men whose apprenticeship was interrupted by military service, there is no difficulty. If, however, he is referring to a scheme under which a number of officers and men of higher educational qualifications are being instructed in different trades and professions, representations have been received from certain trade unions, and are being considered.
§ Sir H. CRAIKSeeing that I brought this matter some time ago to the notice of the Ministry of Labour, has no settlement been arrived at which will secure fair justice to these men, who have served their country, but who are prevented by the action of the trade unions from following their livelihood?
§ Lieut.-Colonel GILMOURI will represent that.