Training

HC Deb 28 February 1946 vol 419 cc2101-2

54. Mr. Lipson

asked the Minister of Labour how many discharged members of the Forces have been awaiting training for two months or longer; and what steps he is taking to reduce the long wait between acceptance for training and its actual commencement.

Mr. Isaacs

With regard to the first part of the Question I am obtaining the information and will write the hon. Member when it is available. With regard to the second part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 29th January to the hon. Member for The High Peak (Mr. Molson) Since that date five more Centres have been opened which will provide training places for approximately 1,000 more trainees.

Mr. Lipson

In view of the very great disappointment felt by the men who have been accepted for training but cannot get it, will not that disappointment be increased if the Minister is not at the moment in possession of the numbers concerned? He ought to have that information.

Mr. Isaacs

I am anxious to get the accurate number. I will send it to the hon. Gentleman if he wishes but, if he cares to put down a Question so that it can appear in Hansard, I shall be glad. The disappointment is appreciated by everybody in this House. We are planning for training centres to take in 34,000 people by the end of the year. The problem, of course, is the old problem of housing and accommodation, but we are having all possible assistance from other Departments in obtaining premises.

55. Mr. Lipson

asked the Minister of Labour if the allowance to an ex-Service trainee is payable from the date when he has been accepted for training or from when he commences it and, if the latter, how is he to maintain himself and his dependants during the interval which is frequently of long duration.

Mr. Isaacs

The training allowance is payable from the date of commencing training. Every effort is made to arrange temporary employment for those awaiting training. An ex-Serviceman, who is unemployed while awaiting a training course, is entitled to unemployment benefit after the end of his period of paid demobilisation leave.

Mr. Lipson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in practice it is not possible for these men to get temporary employment when the prospective employer knows that at any time they may go off for training? Will he consider approaching the local authorities to see if these men can be allocated to them so that they may be usefully employed?

Mr. Isaacs

The hon. Gentleman has raised a point which is giving us some anxiety. I would ask employers not to be quite so "choosy," and to take what labour is available, if only for a week or two to get them out of their difficulties, instead of going without labour in the hope of getting someone permanent.

Mr. Lipson

What about the local authorities? Will the right hon. Gentleman approach them?

Mr. Isaacs

The same thing applies.