§ 85. Mr. LOUIS SMITHasked the Minister of Labour how long the domestic training centres for middle-aged women at Burnley, and Sheffield have now been in operation; how many women have commenced and completed the courses, respectively, at each training centre; and how many of the trainees have been found employment as a result?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Miss Bondfield)The Burnley Centre was opened on 19th June last and the first course ended on the 15th October. 42 1306 women entered and 37 completed the course. The corresponding dates for Sheffield were 10th July and 19th November, and 40 women entered of whom 30 completed the course. These courses which are conducted by the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment are experimental, and as the hon. Member will see the first courses have only just been completed. I am having detailed inquiry made as to the results of the training and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.
§ Mr. BROOKEDo they go voluntarily or are they compelled to go?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThey go voluntarily.
§ Mr. SMITHIs the right hon. Lady satisfied that these training centres for middle-aged women are likely to be successful, and does she not consider it desirable to limit them to the younger women?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThese are two experimental courses to see if anything can be done for the middle-aged women. am now waiting for the full report as to whether they shall he continued.