§ 44. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Minister of Labour whether, seeing that hitherto there has been a limitation of apprentices bound to craftsmen of one in seven, with a maximum of eight to any craft in any firm, and such regulations hamper the rapid construction of houses, he is using his influence to induce the unions concerned to modify, in the public interest, these restrictions?
§ Mr. SHAWI cannot accept the statements in the question, but as the hon. Member is probably referring to the building trades, I may explain that the number of apprentices is much below the number permitted by the agreements between the employers' and operatives' organisations. These organisations baye assured me of their co-operation in the formulation of proposals by which the number of apprentices may be increased in accordance with the requirements of the industry, and I hope to receive these proposals in the near future.