HC Deb 10 February 1938 vol 331 cc1223-6
6. Mr. Logan

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, at the Coed-y-Brenin labour training centre, no conveyance is placed at the disposal of the trainees who wish to go seven miles away to church on Sundays at Dolgelly; and will he make arrangements so that these men can attend to their spiritual duties?

Mr. E. Brown

The arrangements at this and other centres are that accommodation for religious services at the centres and transport for officiating ministers are provided free at appropriatee times. Certain services are conducted on Sundays at Coed-y-Brenin centre under these arrangements, and similar facilities are available for other religious denominations if desired.

Mr. Logan

The Minister must have misinterpreted my question. I ask him what arrangements have been made so that these men can attend to their spiritual duties at Dolgelly. Why is it that on six nights a week arrangements are made for a lorry to take men to the cinema and that on Sundays arrangements cannot be made for them to attend to their spiritual duties?

Mr. Brown

The House will see that the situation is entirely different. There are services now arranged for certain denominations, and we provide transport for the officiating ministers, and these facilities are open for all churches irrespective of their particular beliefs. We could not undertake the task of conveying everybody seven miles to the nearest town.

Mr. Logan

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a clergyman comes seven miles to a service at the camp, and why cannot facilities be made for these young men?

Mr. Brown

Surely, this is a matter for local arrangement, and not for discussion here.

Sir Patrick Hannon

Would the Minister, in view of his kindly sympathy with suggestions of this kind, go into the question with the local authorities to see what arrangements can be made, so that these people can take part in these services?

Mr. Brown

I will try to find out what can be done about it.

7. Mr. Lunn

asked the Minister of Labour where are the training establishments under the Ministry in Leeds or other parts of Yorkshire; how many trainees are employed, and what is the capacity in numbers which can be employed; what trade or industry is being carried on in these establishments; and how many trainees have been found employment in normal industries?

Mr. Brown

There is one Government training centre in Yorkshire, that opened in November last at Leeds with a capacity of 550 men of whom there are at present 303 in training. The occupations taught are mainly in the building and engineering industries, but there are also classes in coach body building, hairdressing and wood machining. No men from this centre have yet finished their course and been placed in employment. There are instructional centres at Allerston, near Thornton-le-Dale, and Langdale End, near Scarborough, each providing 200 training places, of which 94 and 136 respectively are now filled. The training given in these centres is not vocational, but is intended primarily to restore the men's fitness for employment generally. Six hundred and two men from these centres have passed direct into employment in industry.

Mr. Lunn

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the work in connection with these training establishments has been undertaken in consultation and agreement with the trade union locally?

Mr. Brown

No, Sir. I do not think that that is so.

10. Mr. Day

asked the Minister of Labour particulars of the manner in which he proposes to give further favourable consideration to an extension of the system of training centres in order to assist in finding an opening for the absorption of the marked surplus of labour in the depressed areas?

Mr. Brown

So far as training in the Government training centres is concerned, the facilities provided are under constant review and adapted to meet the prospective demand for labour in the occupations which can be taught at the centres. With regard to training for less skilled occupations improved workshop training of an elementary type is being given in the instructional centres and a new instructional centre is in course of preparation for giving men training in manipulative work or other work requiring no great amount of skill. Three more local training centres, to serve as preparatory centres both for the training centres and the instructional centres, are in course of preparation on the Tyneside and in South Wales, and will shortly be opened.

Mr. Day

Will the Minister try to make arrangements for these persons who have been out of employment for long periods, so that they may obtain the advantages and opportuntities of these training centres?

Mr. Brown

If the hon. Member knows of men like that, perhaps he will let me know, and I will see what can be done.

Mr. Day

Is it not the fact that there are an enormous number of people living outside these districts?

Mr. Brown

I think there is a misunderstanding about that.

Mr. Lawson

Is it not advisable that training centres should be in areas where they are most needed, and near to the homes of the men concerned?

Mr. Brown

That has been my desire in these additional centres.