§ 67. Mr. NEIL MACLEANasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of men in the Government training camp at Keilder have left the camp and returned to their homes; whether he can state their reasons for leaving; and whether he will consider any complaints lodged by the men and, if he finds the complaints well founded, 1185 will he have the causes removed and the men who are willing to return informed they can do so?
§ Mr. E. BROWNThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A number of men left the instructional centre at Keilder on 25th February following the discovery of vermin in some of the sleeping huts. Prompt and effective measures were taken to deal with the matter, and the manager of the centre is satisfied that there was no justification for any trainee to leave the centre on that account. The ostensible reason given by the men for leaving the centre was general dissatisfaction with the conditions. I am satisfied that these complaints are not well founded. As regards informing the men that they may return, it would be contrary to practice to allow these men to return to a training centre.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs the right hon. Gentleman taking steps to verify the statement of the manager of the training camp?