§ 29. Sir HENRY HARRISasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of ex-officers have been for some time training at commercial colleges in London for the certificates of the London Chamber of Commerce, with the guarantee from such colleges of being found employment, and that such ex-officers, some of whom sent in applications for grants towards their training several months back, have now been informed that no grants can be made for maintenance or fees in respect of such training; and whether he will take steps to remedy the serious hardship thus caused to these ex-officers and will receive a deputation from them and the principals of the colleges concerned?
§ Mr. WARDLEThe Government's professional training scheme for ex-officers and men in the ranks, of suitable educational promise, is intended to restore the supply of men of higher general, scientific, professional, and business attainments. It was not intended to fix ex-Service men for clerical occupations of any kind, nor was it intended or stated that ex-officers, as such, had any right to benefit by the scheme unless the training which they wished to take up would fulfil the objects set forth. But there is another scheme of training administered by the Training Department of this Ministry. Under this scheme, in so far as the ex-officers to whom the hon. Member refers may be unfitted by disability from resuming their pre-war employment, or, owing to their youth, may not have been in employment before the War, their cases will be considered, and if there is a good prospect of suitable employment resulting from the training which they have undertaken, the ex-officers will be eligible for State assistance at the appropriate rates.
§ 33. Mr. SUGDENasked the Minister of Labour why, when patriotic Lancashire firms offer to train and pay uneconomic wages to disabled soldiers whilst such training is proceeding, members of his staff report unfavourably upon such scheme?
§ Mr. WARDLEI regret that I am unable to detect what case or cases are referred to in the question. I shall be glad if the hon. Member will communicate with me on the subject.
§ Mr. SUGDENI shall be glad to do so.
§ 34 and 35. Captain BOWYERasked the Minister of Labour (1) the nature of the negotiations which have taken place with the heads of trades unions with the object of facilitating the employment of disabled sailors and soldiers in those industries in which such men may with advantage be placed; and, if an agreement with the trades unions has been completed, whether the substance of such agreement may be communicated to the House; (2) whether he has given his consideration to a national scheme for the employment of disabled sailors and soldiers prepared by Mr. Henry L. Rothband, Albion Works, Pendleton, Manchester; whether the main principles embodied in Mr. Rothband's scheme commend themselves to the Government; and whether steps will be taken by the Government to give effect to Mr. Rothband's scheme, either in its present form or with such modifications as may make it more acceptable to employers and trade unionists throughout the country?
§ Mr. WARDLEMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour hopes shortly to be in a position to announce to the House of Commons the details of a scheme for the employment of disabled ex-Service men, and to make a statement on the result of his negotiations with the National Advisory Committees of the various trades and with certain industrial councils in the matter. In framing the scheme regard has been had to the proposals put forward by Mr. Rothband.
§ Captain ORMSBY-GOREHave the Government taken Mr. Rothband into consultation?
§ Mr. WARDLEI cannot answer that without notice.