§ 14. Sir A. POWNALLasked the Minister of Labour how many men training facilities are available at Brandon; and how many are now under training there?
§ Miss BONDFIELDAt the Brandon Training Centre 250 places are available for the training of men in farm work for employment overseas. Three annexes, each with a capacity of 200, are also available as required. The number of men receiving training for employment overseas at the Centre and annexes is now 287. In addition, 60 places are available for the training of men as handymen for employment in this country. The number of men at the Centre receiving handymen training is now 42.
§ Sir A. POWNALLCan the right hon. Lady say why only 287 men are receiving training when apparently 850 are provided for?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe main reason is the difficulty of recruiting in connection with the distressed areas at the present time. The actual number on any given date cannot always be regarded as a measure of what is happening throughout the whole month, because a certain set of men may have finished training, and on the day when they leave it is quite possible that the others cannot be immediately got into their places. A week later there may be a considerable difference in the figures.
§ Sir A. POWNALLHas there been this number of vacancies in the course of the last two months, or is it purely fortuitous?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThere has been a much larger number of vacancies than I care to see.
§ 15. Sir A. POWNALLasked the Minister of Labour what is the total of places available under her Department for training of men; and how many are now receiving training?
§ Miss BONDFIELDAs the reply is somewhat long, I will circulate it, if I may, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the reply:
§ At Government training centres which are already established or are in process of being opened, provision is made for 3,300 training places of which 3,025 are at present available. On 6th December, 2,736 men were receiving training at these centres for employment in this country. At transfer instruction centres 1,200 training places are available. On 3rd December, 1,133 men were receiving instruction at these centres for employment in this country. At overseas training centres 620 training places are available, while, in addition, accommodation is available, as required, in three annexes at Brandon and in centres on the estates of the Forestry Commission. At present 522 men are receiving training at these centres for employment overseas.