HC Deb 26 March 1929 vol 226 cc2245-6
28. Sir BERTRAM FALLE

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that certain municipal colleges, among others Portsmouth, have technical classes; that such classes are assisted by funds from the Education Department and that such classes for the training of hairdressers are not open to men of the Royal Navy undergoing vocational training who desire to take this course and who wish to start in the hairdressing business after serving their time in the Royal Navy; and if he can make any statement on the subject?

Lord E. PERCY

It is a common practice for technical colleges to arrange classes at the special request of, and in close co-operation with, local employers, and admission to such classes is frequently restricted to those actually employed in the trade concerned. The hairdressing class at the Portsmouth Technical College is a class of this kind. The question raised by my hon. Friend is not free from difficulty. I think the real point is that, if we want to use our technical colleges to revive or strengthen the system of apprenticeship in suitable trades, it is inevitable that some of the classes in such colleges should be confined to apprentices.

Sir B. FALLE

Is the Noble Lord aware that these men, some of whom have spent their lives in the Service, cannot join a trade union until they are discharged from the Service? Why should he assist trade unions in this instance in injuring a very deserving class of men?

Lord E. PERCY

I am not assisting a trade union. I am assisting both employers and workers in a particular trade to carry out a system of apprenticeship. I agree that many difficult questions arise when one is doing that, but I do not think, for the reasons I have stated, that the practice can be condemned.

Sir B. FALLE

At what age can a man or boy commence apprenticeship? Why should not he commence at thirty or forty?

Lord E. PERCY

It varies from trade to trade. If my hon. Friend wants information as to apprenticeship ages in various trades, he must give me notice.

Commander BELLAIRS

Is it the case that there is no room for these naval men to attend the classes? If there is room, why should they not?

Lord E. PERCY

It is rather a question, if there is a considerable number of men who want to be trained for employment after they leave the Service, whether special classes should not be started for them.