§ 34. Mr. G. MACDONALDasked the Minister of Labour the number of persons who have accepted work on training schemes since 13th March, 1930; the number who completed their course of training; and the number who ceased to receive unemployment benefits at the termination of their course of training?
§ Miss BONDFIELDBetween lath March, 1930, and the end of October, 12,802 men entered Ministry of Labour Training or Transfer Instructional Centres and 9,139 satisfactorily completed a course of instruction. With few exceptions those who completed a course passed into employment and accordingly ceased to draw unemployment benefit. During the same period 2,416 women and girls entered the Training Centres conducted on behalf of my Department by the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment and 2,162 satisfactorily completed courses of instructions. At these Centres allowances are paid but not unemployment benefit, so that the last part of the hon. Member's question does not arise.
Viscountess ASTORWould it be possible for the right hon. Lady to give encouragement to voluntary societies dealing with unemployment?
§ Miss BONDFIELDYes, provided they do not want to borrow my staff permanently.
§ Miss RATHBONEWere any of the women being trained for agricultural occupations?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI must ask for notice of that question.
§ 35. Mr. MACDONALDasked the Minister of Labour the number of persons who, having accepted work on a training scheme, have only had a short stay, alleging that the conditions on which they agreed to accept the offer of such work were not being carried out; and whether she will issue instructions to Employment Exchanges that the offer of such work, along with the terms, shall be made in writing?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI cannot give exact figures, but the cases in which such allegations are made are few in number and I am aware of none in which the allegation has been justified. If my hon. Friend has any case in mind and will send me particulars, I will have inquiry made. Printed leaflets describing the objects and conditions of the training and instruction at the men's centres are given to each man when he is invited to apply for admission. Women and girls entering the centres conducted on behalf of my Department by the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment are similarly informed.
§ Mr. MACDONALDWill my right hon. Friend answer the last part of the question?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI say it is done.