HC Deb 27 June 1944 vol 401 cc599-600
34. Mr. Vernon Bartlett

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the difficulty in obtaining apprentices to various trades; and whether he will allow apprentices to earn a larger sum than 5s. per week without depriving their parents of child's allowances for Income Tax purposes.

Sir J. Anderson

With regard to the first part of the Question, I understand that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour is not aware of any particular difficulties other than the general shortage of young persons. As regards the second part of the Question, the grant of child allowance in respect of apprentices is governed by Section 20 of the Finance Act, 1938, and I regret I cannot see my way to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion for an alteration of the limit laid down in Sub-section 1 (b) of that Section.

Mr. Bartlett

Is it not a fact that in view of the general shortage of labour it becomes increasingly difficult to get apprentices, and is there not a danger that this country will thereby lose the technical skill for which it has been so rightly famous in the past?

Sir J. Anderson

I do not think that a change of the kind suggested by the hon. Member would make any practical difference.