2. Lieut. - Colonel Sir ARNOLD WILSONasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the improved prospects of employment now apparent, he proposes to utilise the eight training centres under his control to their full capacity?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe number of places provided at Government training centres has always been related to the absorptive capacity of the respective industries as far as it is possible to judge it. Increases in the numbers of men accepted for training will certainly be made as occasion offers.
§ Mr. GODFREY NICHOLSONWould the Minister not only give facilities but encourage hon. Members of this House to visit these centres?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI would not only encourage such visits, but I would express the hope that as many hon. Members as possible will visit as many centres as possible and as often as possible.
§ 5. Sir A. WILSONasked the Minister of Labour what percentage of men who have passed through training centres during the past 12 months have passed into employment; and what proportion of men so trained in previous years remain in the employment for which they were trained?
§ Sir H. BETTERTON5,409 men were admitted to Government training centres during the 12 months ended 26th March, 1934. 4,510 completed a course and of these 4,041, or 89.6 per cent., were placed in or found employment. No figures are available to answer the second part of the question.
§ Mr. G. NICHOLSONDo not these figures show that there is very little saturation in those trades for which the men are trained, and, therefore, that there is greater scope for these centres than the Minister seems to imagine?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI think these figures are highly satisfactory, and I am fully alive to the possibilities and the advantages of these centres.
§ Mr. NICHOLSONI only meant that they could be extended.