HC Deb 28 February 1946 vol 419 cc2075-6
1. Mr. George Thomas

asked the Minister of Education what is the average time lag between the demobilisation of a serviceman accepted for training under the emergency training scheme and his actual entry into training as a teacher.

The Minister of Education (Miss Ellen Wilkinson)

Figures taken out for one of the recently opened colleges, show that ex-Service students entered the college on the average about four months after demobilisation. Complete figures for all the colleges are not available. We shall open new training colleges as fast as possible; but there will also be a big increase in the number of candidates released from the Forces. The waiting period is, therefore, more likely to increase.

Mr. Thomas

Is the right hon. Lady aware that these persons have, in some cases, to hang about for nine or 10 months while waiting to go to college, and they have remarkable difficulty in getting fixed up with a job which will keep their families, while they are waiting to go away?

Miss Wilkinson

I must remind the hon. Gentleman that we tell each candidate that there is likely to be a considerable period before he can enter college, owing to the difficulty of getting the colleges fitted up. I am considering what steps can be taken to utilise this waiting period in connection with the training scheme. I cannot make any fuller statement on the matter at the moment.

Mr. Tolley

Would the right hon. Lady give reasons for the continued delay?

Miss Wilkinson

Lack of materials, the difficulty of getting labour, and all the other things which are a result of the war.