4. Captain ARTHUR EVANSasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the inadequate and unsatisfactory accommodation provided at the Cardiff juvenile instruction centre; whether his attention has been drawn to the 268 report of Mr. Ben Williams, juvenile education officer; and what steps he proposes to take to see that this matter is remedied at the earliest possible moment?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADA copy of a report dated 18th September, 1935, to which, I assume, my hon. and gallant Friend refers, has been communicated to the Minister. My right hon. Friend is aware that the accoinmodation at the Cardiff junior instruction centres is not yet in all respects sufficient. Proposals of the Cardiff local education authority have, however, recently been approved for the provision of additional accommodation at the boys' centre, which should make it adequate for present needs. Approval has also been given to the provision of additional temporary accommodation for the existing girls' centre, and I understand that the local education authority are now considering the submission of proposls for a further girls' centre. In all the circumstances, my right hon. Friend is satisfied that this authority are actively taking steps to meet the situation.
Viscountess ASTORIs it not the case that we could do away with juvenile unemployment centres if we raised the school-leaving age which the Government are going to do?
§ 19. Mr. DALTONasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that most of the boys, and particularly the younger boys, attending the Bishop Auckland juvenile training centre show signs of ill-nourishment; and whether the Commissioner for Special _Areas has made any recommendations on this subject?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADWhile my right hon. Friend cannot, on present information, accept the general statements made in the first part of this question, he has under active consideration the question of the measures which can most effectively be taken to improve the physical condition of juveniles attending junior instruction centres. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. DALTONIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the statement in the first part of the question was made by the Commissioner for Special Areas himself and reported in the Press of the North East coast; and in view of that, 269 will the Minister of Labour consult with the Commissioner on this very grave subject?
§ Lieut-Colonel MUIRHEADI need hardly assure the hon. Member that we are of course in close consultation with the Commissioner on this and all other matters relating to the distressed areas and, as I said, my right hon. Friend has under active consideration measures which can be most effectively brought into operation.