§ 2. Mr. CHORLTONasked the Minister of Labour whether any special arrangements are being made to facilitate the coming back into the engineering industry of those specially skilled who had left it when unemployment in that industry increased during the slump; and whether he will set up a special sub-department to deal with this question?
§ Mr. E. BROWNEngineers who have obtained employment in other industries may nevertheless register at the Employment Exchanges for employment in the occupation in which they are skilled, and their qualifications are carefully considered in connection with any suitable vacancies. Skilled men who left the engineering industry during the depression are not likely to be unaware of the opportunities of employment which the industry now offers, but, though I do not think it is necessary to set up special machinery, I am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving me this opportunity of drawing attention to the facilities afforded. I should add that, as indicated in the answer given to the hon. Member for Bosworth (Sir W. Edge) on 12th June, I am making the experiment of admitting 1366 a small number of skilled engineers who are unemployed in areas of heavy unemployment to "refresher" courses at the Government training centres.
§ Mr. E. SMITHIf the skilled engineers do return, can the Minister give them an undertaking that they will not be subject to the same kind of treatment to which they have been subjected during the last five years, and will not again be subject to the means test?
§ Mr. GEORGE GRIFFITHSCan the Minister give a guarantee that miners who have got out of the mines will not be forced back later on, but will be allowed to enjoy a little sunshine?