§ 3. Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister of Labour whether he has now a statement to make as to any agreement with the President of the Board of Education relative to the opportunity for education and training at Government training centres of pre-entry recruits for the Services?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. McCorquodale)The vast majority of boys are engaged full-time in work of national importance up to the time when they are required to join the Armed Forces, and it would not be in the national interest to take them off such work and give them full-time training. I understand that my right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for War and the President of the Board of Education, are considering a scheme for provision of evening courses of technical instruction-for members of the Cadet Force. There are still a few boys unemployed in certain parts of the country; if they are over 16 and satisfy certain conditions, they are eligible for admission to Government training centres, where 1,136 boys are now receiving courses of instruction.
§ Mr. AdamsCan the Minister inform us when we are likely to have the report on this matter which was promised some time ago?
§ Mr. McCorquodaleI think my right hon. Friend would welcome a discussion with my hon. Friend on the subject.