HC Deb 19 June 1941 vol 372 cc791-2
3 and 4. Mr. E. Smith

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether it is intended to establish special training centres in order to equip the people for industry, who have been injured in war service of any form; has consideration been given to the evidence of the Joint Committee of the Trades Union Congress and the Medical Association to the inter-departmental committee on the rehabilitation of persons injured by accidents; and what action is to be taken to deal with this matter;

(2) whether he can make a statement on the consultations held between the Ministries interested in rehabilitation and training for men and women incapacitated during service in the armed forces and industry; is it intended to arrange for set- ting up vocational training centres; to what extent are rehabilitation facilities provided; and when is it intended to have a satisfactory system in operation to cover all the needs of people injured in war service of any kind?

Mr. Bevin

As the House has already been informed, the facilities for vocational training provided by my Ministry's existing training scheme are open to all men who are fit to undergo the training, and it is hoped that substantial numbers of men and women who have been injured in the Armed Forces, in war service of any kind or in industry, will after treatment prove capable of this training. For those of them who require training but are not fit for the existing courses, special courses will be provided as the need for them reveals itself, either in the Ministry's own training centres or in other institutions or with employers. Account will be taken of the evidence given by the Joint Committee of the Trades Union Council and the Medical Association. Further details of these arrangements will be announced in due course. In the first instance the scheme will be limited to training in occupations useful for the war effort.

Sir Francis Fremantle

Is the Minister aware that vocational training is not rehabilitation? The rehabilitation goes right back into the Services, and is he, therefore, in touch with- the Services in regard to getting rehabilitation from the time of their treatment to their return to industry?

Mr. Bevin

Yes, Sir; we are in consultation both with my fight hon. Friend the Minister of Health and with the Service Ministers.