HC Deb 21 April 1920 vol 128 cc379-81
30. Mr. W. R. SMITH

asked the Minister of Labour whether the National Trade Advisory Committee of the Boot and Shoe Trade have made any recom- mendation as to the future training of disabled soldiers; that there is no further opening in the industry for men trained in boot repairing, but that men can be trained in hand-sewn making; and will he state whether they have recommended the setting up of national factories whereby these men can be guaranteed employment after they have been trained?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The functions of the National Trade Advisory Committee for the training of disabled men in the boot and shoe trade have now been taken over by the Boot and Shoe Trade Board, and this Board have passed resolutions in the sense indicated by my hon. Friend. It is correct that the National Trade Advisory Committee pressed for the establishment of national factories for the employment of ex-service men in this trade, for the purposes of supplying the forces of the Crown with hand-sewn boots and shoes. After giving the matter careful consideration, in consultation with the Supply Departments, my Department was unable to concur.

Mr. SMITH

May I ask whether it is impossible to go on training these men unless there is some guarantee of employment, and whether it is not obligatory on the Government to do all possible to help these men after training?

Dr. MACNAMARA

We must do all we can to help them, obviously. I have had the pleasure myself of seeing four men in training from Northampton a few days ago, and I have also been to another training centre. Certainly it is up to us to do all we can, but if there are not these posts for these men I do not see how we can create them.

Mr. PALMER

Would it not be possible to absorb these men in the trade, if the trade unions would agree to them being absorbed?

Mr. IRVING

Could the right hon. Gentleman give us some reason why it is impossible to start factories to provide boots for the Army? To the ordinary man it seems quite an easy thing to do, and one wonders why the "No" answer is given.

Dr. MACNAMARA

I speak subject to correction, but I presume that the supply for a long time ahead must have already been provided by the contracts which were running.

Mr. IRVING

Could the right hon. Gentleman find out and let us know if it is so?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Yes, if my hon. Friend will put a question down.