HC Deb 26 May 1932 vol 266 cc521-2
17. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOX

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Thomas O'Reilly, a native of Ireland, who was brought to Slough in 1931 to undergo a course of instruction as a bricklayer at the Government training centre and has since been convicted of burglary; and whether he will take steps to protect the Slough district from the importation of men of this type?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I have no knowledge of this case. The class of men admitted to these centres is in general of a good type and I do not think any further special precautions in this connection are either necessary or practical.

Sir A. KNOX

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the obvious plan would be to give a percentage of the vacancies in this training centre to local unemployed youths?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I fully appreciate the point that my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind, but I must remind him that the primary object of this centre is to give a chance to men from the very depressed areas in the north and elsewhere.

Sir A. KNOX

But did not this man come from Ireland?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I say that I have no knowledge of the case at all, but, judging from his name, I should think that he probably did.