HC Deb 13 November 1945 vol 415 cc1902-4
34. Mr. Bowden

asked the Minister of Labour if he will agree to extend the Class B release scheme to include articled law students, many of whom are external students of universities and desire to continue their studies.

36. Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the desirability of releasing articled clerks and other professional students whose course of training has been interrupted by the war and who are now urgently wanted by their employers for work of national importance.

Mr. Isaacs

I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Ely (Major Legge-Bourke) on 23rd October, a copy of which I am sending them.

37. Mr. P. Freeman

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the impending shortage of planners, architects and assistants required for the new housing drive and the long training necessary for this profession, he will consider re leasing students of the Royal Institute of British Architects who have already qualified in their intermediate examinations on equal terms with those holding arts scholarships.

Mr. Isaacs

No, Sir. The special arrangements for the release of certain art students were based upon the immediate need in the national interest of reviving arts courses at universities.

Mr. Bossom

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in answer to a question, he said that one architect was necessary for every 150 operatives, and that there are not enough architects to satisfy that proportion? Will he look into the matter and release enough of them to do the job?

Mr. Isaacs

That is rather another question, but I am glad to be able to assure the hon. Member that we are keenly aware of the problem, and that in various ways we have done what we can to meet the position.

An Hon. Member

Not much.

38. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that while Class B provides for the release of students who, before joining the Forces, had not graduated and also of fully trained teachers, it does not provide for the intermediate class, namely, students who had graduated but had not completed the year at training college which is compulsory in a teacher's training; and if he will take steps to apply Class B to the last-mentioned class.

Mr. Isaacs

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education on 8th November to the hon. Member for S.W. St. Pancras (Mr. H. Davies), a copy of which I am sending him.

Mr. Hughes

In view of the shortage of teachers does not the Minister of Labour think that something should be done to speed up their discharge?

Mr. Isaacs

My hon. Friend is asking me for an expression of opinion. [An HON. MEMBER: "Have you got one?"] I am not going to give it.