59. Mr. GADOGANasked the Minister of Labour whether the six months course of training for young unemployed men at Claydon and other centres has so far proved a success; what is the number of candidates selected for the course; how 1035 many applications have been received; and whether he intends to increase the number of such training centres?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI am glad to be able to say that excellent progress is being made with the training of young unemployed men at the training centres. The total number of men selected as suitable for training is 2,013, and the number of applications received exceeds 5,000. The scheme is in the nature of an experiment, and, at present, it is not proposed to increase the number of centres.
§ Mr. CADOGANCan the right hon. Gentleman say by what process candidates are selected for these courses?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDApplications are made, and the cases are reviewed by officials of the Exchanges; and, in the case of residential centres where training is given for possible work overseas, the cases are again examined by the Dominion authorities, in order to make quite sure that they will be allowed to go there, before they go to the centres for training.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKECan the Minister say how many of these young men have been found work after their training?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe training as yet has only proceeded for half its time, but in regard to Birmingham, I may say—I am speaking from memory, and, therefore, my figures may not be exact—that, roughly speaking, out of about 400 in the Birmingham training centre, although the training was originally intended to be for six months, about 150 have found work already.