§ 32. Major Tufton Beamishasked the Minister of Labour how many ex-Service or ex-.Merchant Navy men and women, shown separately, have passed through the Government training centres, technical colleges or been trained by specially selected employers; and how many of these men and women have been placed in suitable employment.
§ Mr. IsaacsAbout 6,100 ex-Service and ex-Merchant Navy men have been placed in suitable employment since August, 1943, after passing through Government training centres, Technical colleges or specially selected employers establishments. In addition to these a small number have terminated their training voluntarily without completing the course. Separate figures relating to ex-Service women are not available but the number would be small.
§ Major BeamishIs it not a fact that applicants for training still far exceed the number of vacancies available, and how much longer have we to put up with these dilatory methods?
§ Mr. IsaacsNo, Sir. The number, if you take the total of the persons concerned, is not very high; it is somewhere around 4,500. The delay is mainly caused by the difficulty of getting possession of buildings which would have to be cleared of their goods, and this is being rapidly pressed forward. Applications have very much increased of late, and while there is a delay of over a fortnight before people can get in, we are doing our best to shorten that period.
§ Major BeamishIs it not a fact that applicants for training far exceed the number of vacancies?
§ Mr. IsaacsNo, Sir.
§ 78. Mr. Albert Daviesasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that considerable delay between interview and calling up is taking place in connection with the Government's vocational training scheme; and whether he will take immediate steps to remove this discouragement to candidates for training.
§ Mr. IsaacsSome delay in allocating applicants to training has been inevitable owing to difficulties in securing and adapting suitable premises and obtaining necessary equipment. Every effort is however being made to overcome this.
§ Mr. Evelyn WalkdenIs the Minister satisfied with the progress made in obtaining colleges or premises for the building trade and building trade workers generally? Is he getting enough of them?
§ Mr. IsaacsIf my hon. Friend will put that Question down I will give him an answer.
§ Mr. WalkdenBut my right hon. Friend has referred already to the same subject.