HC Deb 14 December 1933 vol 284 cc513-4
18. Mr. THORNE

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the name and rank of the person appointed to take charge of the physical training centre at Cardiff; and whether attendance at it will be necessary to entitle able-bodied unemployed to unemployment benefit or transitional payments?

Sir H. BETTERTON

The instructor at the Physical Training Class for Unemployed Men, which it is proposed to open very shortly at Cardiff, will be a Mr. A. Brooks, a qualified physical training instructor who was appointed to the Ministry of Labour a year ago. He was previously employed as a physical training instructor by a Local Education Authority. Before that he was in the Army. Attendance of unemployed men at this and similar Centres organised by the Department in different parts of the country, is entirely voluntary and unwillingness to attend in no way affects receipt of unemployment insurance benefit, or transitional payments.

Mr. THORNE

Was it not possible to get an instructor without having to apply to the Army?

Viscountess ASTOR

Is it not far better to employ someone who has been used to handling men?

Mr. MORGAN JONES

Was this gentleman's experience entirely derived from his Army experience? Has he had any other experience?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I have said in my answer that he is a qualified physical training instructor who was appointed by the Ministry of Labour a year ago. He was previously employed by the local education authority as a physical training instructor.

Mr. JONES

Has this gentleman been trained at a physical training college?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I have stated that he is a qualified instructor. He satisfied the requirements.