§ 40. Mr. HARDIEasked the Minister of Health whether he can explain why a term of years of apprenticeship is specified in the report on the building industry, while adopting the principle of admission to these trades by test; and whether, if a man applied for a test and could perform it without being able to specify any consecutive number of years as an apprentice, he would be employed in any of these trades?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYI will make inquiry from the Housing Committee on the point mentioned and inform my hon. Friend in due course.
§ Mr. HARDIEArising oat of this somewhat serious question, I want to ask for an assurance from the Minister, if that be possible, that nothing will be done to interfere with the present method of apprenticeship in our trade. I want that assurance now.
§ Mr. WHEATLEYI have no intention of submitting legislation that would interfere with industrial relations and the apprenticeship system in this country. That is a matter for the trade unions and the employers themselves.
§ Mr. HARDIEThen why is it that what I have stated in my question is contained in the report; if it be wrong, why is it there, and if it be right, why should the right hon. Gentleman make inquiry?
§ Mr. MASTERMANWhat is the Housing Committee of which the right hon. Gentleman is going to make inquiry, and if it is the Building Committee, is he prepared to accept the decision of that Committee as controlling the building industry of this country?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYNo, I am not prepared to accept that, and it is as a matter of courtesy to the hon. Member who puts the question and to the House that I will endeavour to obtain the information for my hon. Friend.