§ 60. Mr. Kenneth Lindsayasked the Minister of Education how many boys are now being trained for the building industry in junior technical schools and other comparable institutions; and how many recruits are needed annually for this industry.
§ Mr. ButlerIn May last, the last date for which figures are available, the number of boys attending junior technical schools for building in England and Wales was 8,882. I am informed that the Building Apprenticeship and Training Council estimate that, assuming the wastage in the industry is made good exclusively by apprentices, the normal annual intake required would be 25,000 including Scotland.
§ Mr. LindsayIn view of the fact that the school-leaving age cannot be raised for a year and a half, and that 90 per cent. of British boys leave school at the age of 14, will my right hon. Friend consider lowering the age of apprenticeship to 14 to fill this gap, and also see that some part day-time release is made possible for these boys?
§ Mr. ButlerI am ready to consider any proposal to increase the number of these courses, because they are much better than they were before, but I cannot give a definite undertaking at this stage.