§ 10. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXasked the Minister of Labour the number of young unemployed men admitted annually to the Slough Training Centre; what number of these are local men; and what number are men drawn from depressed areas?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONDuring 1930 and 1931 (the two complete years during which the Slough Government Training Centre has been open), 939 and 838 men, respectively, were admitted. During the same periods, 644 and 721 men completed training. All those admitted to the centre are drawn from the depressed areas.
§ Sir A. KNOXDoes the Minister realise that there are now 2,000 local people unemployed in Slough; and is it not very unfair that these young men are not allowed to enter this training centre, but should have to remain watching unemployed people from distressed areas being trained at the Government's expense to take their jobs?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI am aware that there has been some increase of unemployment in Slough, but I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that there is, unfortunately, much more unemployment in many of the depressed areas, and these centres are primarily intended for men from the depressed areas.
§ Sir A. KNOXIs it not possible to admit to these centres a proportion of local young men who want training?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI will look into that point, but I cannot give an undertaking, because it really is the intention that the first preference in this matter should be given to men from depressed areas, where the percentage of unemployment is very severe.
Viscountess ASTORWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that this causes tremendous local resentment?