§ 12. Mr. G. Woodsasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that cases have occurred of unemployed men being refused industrial training on account either of their age or the number of their children; and whether he will state the conditions laid down by his Department in this connection?
§ Mr. ButlerI assume that the hon. Member is referring to vocational training at Government training centres. The age limits for admission to these centres are normally 18–35, but men over 35 may be accepted if they are suitable and can be satisfactorily placed in employment on completion of their course. There is no bar to the acceptance for training of men with dependent children, but careful consideration is necessary to avoid accepting men whose family commitments are likely to prevent them from taking employment of the kind available and in the localities where it is available. Cases of men with more than three children are specially considered from this point of view before they are accepted for training.
§ Mr. WoodsCan the hon. Gentleman tell me what is the method of approach of a man of 32 with five children who would like to receive this training when he has been definitely turned down?
§ Mr. ButlerIf the hon. Member has a particular case in mind, I hope he will draw it to my attention.