§ 34. Viscount CURZONasked the Minister of Labour what steps he proposes to take to bring the business and commercial training scheme for officers, to which reference has been made in the Press, more directly before the heads of the firms from which he is seeking assistance?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am much obliged to my Noble Friend for putting this question; and I am no less obliged to the Press for the wide publicity they have already given to this scheme. It is a scheme under which business firms are invited to take ex-officer or man of similar educational qualifications for a period, not exceeding twelve months in order to get the run of the concern—the Government finding maintenance during that period. An honourable undertaking will be asked of the firms to guarantee a salaried post to the officer concerned, if he shapes well, for at least a second twelve months. I am glad to say that I have already received a number of offers from the heads of business firms to adopt this scheme. We propose to canvass the business firms of the country both; personally and by written communication; I take the opportunity to say that anybody interested will be supplied with full details of the scheme on application to the Controller, Appointments Department, St. Ermin's Hotel, Caxton Street, Westminster, S.W., or by making local application for the same to the district, director of the locality.
§ Viscount CURZONWill the right hon. Gentleman see that the widest publicity is given to the results?
§ Dr. MACNAMARACertainly, and I am much obliged to the Noble Lord for helping that publicity by putting the question.