HC Deb 17 February 1926 vol 191 cc1911-2
25. Mr. SOMERVILLE

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made with the farm training centres for young men; and whether it is contemplated to train families and women also for life on the land here and overseas?

The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Arthur Steel-Maitland)

I am glad to say that excellent progress is being made at the Claydon centre with the training of about 100 young unemployed men for employment overseas. Another centre, near Brandon, will shortly be opened. The training of families and women for life on the land would raise different problems, and I will consider the suggestion.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether employment on the land of England is excluded from the curriculum of these schools, or whether it is possible to train in these establishments people who are to cutivate smallholdings and allotments on the land of England?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I will look into that suggestion.

26. Mr. SOMERVILLE

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is prepared to use unemployment benefit and outdoor relief for the maintenance of young men and families on training farms in preparation for life on the land here and overseas?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

As regards unemployment benefit I doubt if the statutory conditions could be held to be satisfied in the case of persons under training for work on the land, but the point is one which can be decided only by the statutory authorities in relation to the circumstances at particular cases. Extended benefit clearly could not be granted inasmuch as it is one of the conditions that claimants will normally seek to obtain their livelihood by means of insurable employment. The point about outdoor relief is for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

Mr. SOMERVILLE

Will my right hon. Friend consider the possibility of obtaining statutory power to employ the unemployment benefit in this way?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I will gladly consider the proposal, though it raises a number of difficult questions.

Mr. WARDLAW-MILNE

Is it a fact that these men, trained in these training camps are already passed as suitable under the conditions required by the Dominion Government?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I know that, at any rate, the majority of them are.