§ 16. Mr. Sutcliffeasked the Minister of Labour whether the instructional camps and centres for the unemployed are being closed; what is the reason for this; and what use is to be made of the camps in future?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe Ministry of Labour instructional centres were closed on the outbreak of war, as it was not anticipated that the need for the kind of training which they provided would continue long under war-time conditions. Further, it was anticipated that in general the men under training at such centres, or suitable for such training, would not be willing to remain or to go there during war. The numbers attending had, in fact, dropped rapidly, even before the war. 489 All except two, which are in remote districts, were taken over at the outbreak of war by other authorities. Some are being used by the Home Office for approved schools which have been evacuated from dangerous areas. I should, perhaps, make it clear that the Government training centres, for the training of semi-skilled men, are in full activity.