§ 30. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Labour how many men have passed through each of the day-training centres of his Department since the inception of such centres up to and including 31st October; and how many of these men have secured regular employment and what trades they entered after leaving the centres, and the period of training in each case?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDUp to the end of October a total of 2,994 men had passed through a course of training at the day-training centres, 1,800 at Birmingham and 1,194 at Wallsend-on-Tyne. Of this number 2,763 or 92 per cent. are known to have secured employment after training. The period of training in no case exceeds 26 weeks and some men find employment after a shorter course. The training is designed generally to improve the men's employability and the employment obtained after training covers more than 30 different occupations.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWhy does the Department not increase the number of these training centres?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe question of increase is a question on the one hand of finance and on the other of finding avenues which would be open to the trainees.
§ Mr. LANSBURYDo I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that even after training there is not a favourable opportunity for men to get to work, and that that is the reason for not starting more training centres?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThere is always a difficulty in getting them employment afterwards under suitable conditions and in suitable occupations, but I am afraid I could not explain the whole of the reasons within the compass of an answer.
§ Mr. STEPHENCould the Minister definitely state the 30 trades in which there is a shortage of trained men to which 92 per cent. of the trainees have gone?
§ Mr. SPEAKERNot at Question Time.
§ Mr. CONNOLLYIs a record kept of the kind of employment obtained?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDPerhaps the hon. Member will put down a question.
§ 32. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Labour how many men have passed through the residential training centres connected with his Department since the opening of those centres up to 31st October; how many were discharged as unfit for training owing to physical or other disability; how many have obtained work on the land in Great Britain; how many have emigrated; and what number have obtained employment otherwise than on the land?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDUp to the end of October 988 men had passed through a course of training for employment on the land overseas, of whom 976 have been placed on farms in Australia or Canada. 364 men received a general course of training for industrial employment in this country, of whom 309 are known to have secured employment. In addition, 63 men have been discharged as unfit to continue training on medical grounds.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs any attempt made to get any of these men work on the land in this country?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThose who are intended for employment overseas have been accepted as such. On the other hand, what is known as training or industrial employment fits them for employment as handy men, whether in town. or country, but I am unable to say how many are in the towns and how many in the country without looking the figures up.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODCould not the right hon. Gentleman take a leaf out of the Greek Government's book and follow their example in finding men work on the land?
§ Sir JAMES REMNANTIs it not a fact that a great many more people would be employed on the land if they were used to hard work?
§ Mr. HARDIEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that if these men refuse to go abroad and cannot get land work at home, relief is immediately stopped?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDIf the hon. Member will give me any cases, I will consider them.
§ Mr. SULLIVANIs it not the policy of the Government, when a man tries to learn another occupation, to stop paying relief?
§ Mr. SULLIVANI have given the right hon. Gentleman a case.