1. Miss Wardasked the Minister of Labour whether he has any statement to make regarding the training of workers to assist in war production?
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Bevin)Since my statement in the House on 8th August, 1940, considerable progress has been made with the training of workers to assist in war production. Certain further developments are now in progress, and I hope to make a full public statement on the whole question in the near future.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs the Minister aware that the number of trainees in this country is below the number in Germany; when will he reach parity in that respect?
§ Mr. BevinI do not admit that; I do not think the hon. Member is in a position to know—I am not actually in that position—the total number of trainees, having regard to what private firms are now doing.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhen will the Minister be able to produce comparative figures?
§ Mr. BevinIt is impossible to produce comparative figures, because the matter is in a constant state of flux. Under the arrangements now made in industry, persons who may be trainees to-day pass very quickly into the ranks of qualified workmen.
§ Sir Percy HarrisIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the progress made, and could not he put greater push into the handling of this problem?
§ Mr. BevinI am not satisfied with the progress in training in this country. I have already indicated that I propose to make a further statement in a few days, but it has to be remembered that the amount of statistical information as to what is required has been in process of examination continuously in relation to the programme that has been devised to meet the strategy of the war.
§ Sir Herbert WilliamsWould it not help to have publication in the Ministry of Labour "Gazette" of those detailed statistics which, for the first time, have been suppressed in the current number?