HC Deb 15 June 1939 vol 348 cc1493-4
35. Mr. Dunn

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Law Society have decreed that solicitors' articled clerks liable to training under the Military Training Act will upon their return from training have to serve a further period of six months under new articles which may involve payment of a further premium; and whether, in the regulations he proposes to make, provision will be made for ensuring that the six months of training shall count as part of the period of apprenticeship, or, at any rate, that the clerk shall not be compelled to pay any additional premium?

Mr. E. Brown

I am making inquiries into this matter.

Mr. Dunn

Need this question necessitate any particularly involved inquiries, seeing that statements have already appeared in the Press to the effect that large classes are involved? Further, is not this practice contrary to the practice adopted at the present time in ordinary business?

Mr. Brown

The hon. Member knows quite well that, while our Press is renowned for its standards, the statements which appear are not always accurate.