§ 25. Mr. ROBERT RICHARDSONasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the present training period allowed in commercial subjects in the various training centres is stated to be insufficient to enable trainees to become 1241 efficient; and whether he will consider the advisibility of extending these courses to twelve months, and so fit these ex-service men to take up positions in the commercial world?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 9th June to my hon. Friend the Member for the Clitheroe Division, in which I explained that it has been decided that a period of nine months is normally sufficient for training men in commercial work, provided that proper care is exercised in selecting the candidates for such a course. I further explained that divisional directors have power to give an extension of 25 per cent. on this period where circumstances appear to demand this in individual cases.
Captain COOTEIs the light hon. Gentleman aware that in many cases technical advisory committees do make recommendations for an extension of the period of training, and those recommendations are turned down by the Ministry in London, and there is a great deal of dissatisfaction?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI think that must have occurred before the new power, to which I referred in the last part of the answer, was given. It was quite recent. If I am wrong in that, and it is still being refused, I will look into that.
§ Mr. HAILWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that great dissatisfaction exists in these centres on account of the rate of payment to the trainees?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe question before us is the question of the length of the course. I am aware there is dissatisfaction with the rate of allowance, but that is not the question before us.
§ 26. Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLEasked the Minister of Labour the cause of the delay of a year or more and consequent waste of unemployment allowance in arranging training for demobilised soldiers recommended as suitable cases through the proper channels; and if he will state how soon the man, of whose case particulars have been supplied to him, will begin his training in the building trade, seeing that he has now completed 12 months' idleness at the public cost since he applied for training?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI find that the case of the man to whom my hon. and gallant Friend refers was first forwarded to the Divisional Director of Training for London on 20th January, 1920, and that the man applied for training in a trade which at the moment could not absorb any further trainees. He was therefore interviewed on 18th February, when he decided to apply for training in masonry. The local technical advisory committee concerned accepted him for training on 22nd April. The man has been instructed to commence training to-day at Cricklewood. I am as concerned as my hon. and gallant Friend about the time it takes to get a man into training. But there are a number of inevitable difficulties—difficulties of obtaining suitable premises, plant, equipment, and tools. Then there are the discussions with the national and local technical advisory committees upon the question as to whether the respective crafts will, so far as can be seen, offer reasonable prospect of employment at the end of training. All these things take time. But I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that no efforts of mine will be spared to reduce the time absorbed by these processes to the absolute minimum.
§ Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLEWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the cause of the delay in this case of seven months from the time this man applied to the Local War Pensions Committee and the time it came to his Department in January last, and is it not a fact that many other cases of the sort require considerable inquiry?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am afraid it is. As regards this case, I have gone through it in the greatest possible detail, and if I thought there had been any avoidable and appreciable delay, I should say so. But I think everything has been done, in the circumstances and the difficulties which arose, that could be done. But I will undertake to go into any cases that are brought to my notice, and I am very much obliged to my hon. and gallant Friend for having brought this one.
Sir F. HALLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have written many letters to his Department regarding similar cases? If there is to be preference given to cases put on the Paper succinctly, would he be surprised at an enormous number being put down with specific and detailed information?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI shall be glad to look into any cases that my hon. and gallant Friend desires to send to me. No preference will be given, but a fair show to all. I will do my best to get any men trained as soon as possible.
§ Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLEDoes the reply of the right hon. Gentleman mean that—
§ Mr. SPEAKERQuestion No. 27! [See Col. 1244.]