§ 38. Mr. GORDON MACDONALDasked the Minister of Labour the num- 18 ber of junior instruction centres, and of junior instruction classes in operation, at the latest date on which figures are available, and the number of boys and girls in attendance, giving separate figures for Lancashire?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Henry Betterton)During the week ended 22nd November there were in operation in Great Britain 76 junior instruction centres for boys, 27 for girls, and 19 "mixed" centres for boys and girls. In addition there were 12 junior instruction classes for boys, three for girls, and two "mixed." Of these, 16 centres for boys, seven centres and one class for girls, and four "mixed" centres were situated in Lancashire. The average daily attendance at centres and classes in Great Britain was 10,884 boys and 2,783 girls of whom 1,797 boys and 741 girls were attending in Lancashire.
§ Sir PERCY HARRISCan the Minister say how many young persons are excluded from the advantages of this training owing to the absence of centres in the immediate neighbourhood of their homes?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI could not say without notice.
§ Sir P. HARRISIs there a considerable number? Can the right hon. Gentleman give me a figure if I put down a question?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI dealt to some extent with that question in my speech the other day, and I estimated that instruction centres were provided for about 100,000 boys and girls.