HC Deb 29 April 1947 vol 436 cc1703-5
14. Mr. Medlicott

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a number of men who have qualified at his Department's training courses held at Ipswich and Luton are unable to find employment, are losing the skill they acquired as trainees and, in some cases, are seeking to return to the Armed Forces; and if he will take all measures possible to provide some assurance that training will be followed by employment.

Mr. Isaacs

I am aware that a small proportion of the men leaving the Ipswich and Luton centres have not yet been able to secure employment. The difficulties in placing have been due to the shortage of timber or the fact that the trainees have been unable to leave home for employment. I can assure the hon. Member that, in consultation with the industry, I am continuing to do everything possible to see that the numbers trained are related to future employment prospects.

Squadron-Leader Fleming

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of discussing the matter with the respective trade unions, because many ex-trainees, when they get jobs, find that they are boycotted by others who are members of trade unions, and who make it impossible for these men to continue at work when they get a job?

Mr. Isaacs

My experience is very much to the contrary, and I should be most grateful if—in fact, I would insist that—the hon. and gallant Gentleman would give me particulars of these cases. Up to now, I have found that the trade unions have been most co-operative in taking these men.

Mr. Drayson

Is the Minister aware that the reply which he has given is the same as he gave to me the other day? Is he aware that, within the last few minutes, I have been talking to a large employer of building labour in London and the provinces, who tells me he cannot employ these trainees because other building workers on the site will not work with them, and will the Minister include in his consultations the Building Trades Advisory Council?

Mr. Isaacs

Of course, I am not aware of the conversation which the hon. Gentleman had a few minutes ago, and I should be glad if he would give me the name of that employer so that these allegations can be traced down. As to the Advisory Council, they have been most co-operative in this matter, and are an outstanding example of willingness to help in taking these trainees.

Mr. John Lewis

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the difficulty in these matters does not arise from a breach of faith by the trade unions, but because of irresponsible elements among the men concerned, who are not prepared to recognise the agreements?

Mr. Isaacs

Equally with the other allegations, I have no such information, and no instance of that kind has been brought to my attention.

Mr. Manningham-Buller

As the Minister has said that he is prepared to trace down these allegations, whatever that may-mean, will he give an assurance that he will cause an immediate investigation to be made and take immediate action in the matter?

Mr. Isaacs

No, Sir. Those who make the accusations ought to be called upon to justify them, instead of sending the Ministry of Labour chasing all over the country to find out if there is any truth in them.

21. Mr. A. Edward Davies

asked the Minister of Labour whether the arrangements made for the instruction and subsequent employment of trainees under the Government's Resettlement Scheme were discussed and agreed upon with the trade unions and employers concerned in the trades provided for.

Mr. Isaacs

Yes, Sir.

22 and 23. Mr. Edward Davies

asked the Minister of Labour (1) what arrangements exist between the training centres and the employment exchanges and employers to ensure that trainees who have completed their course of instruction under the Resettlement Scheme are absorbed into industry without avoidable delay;

(2) whether he is aware that some trainees who have completed their instruction under the Government's Resettlement Scheme are finding difficulty in obtaining employment and what steps are being taken to overcome the difficulty.

Mr. Isaacs

The majority of trainees have been satisfactorily placed in employment on completion of their training. Training facilities in each trade are kept under regular review in consultation with the representatives of the industry concerned, and are expanded or curtailed as necessary, so that they are related as closely as possible to future employment prospects. Recent adverse weather conditions and shortages of material have caused difficulties in some cases. Action to place trainees is commenced at the training centres, at least one month before completion of training. Where the trainee has not been placed before leaving the centre, full particulars are sent to the regional office of my Department who, in cooperation with representatives of the industry, and with the assistance of the local employment exchange, continue action to ensure that the trainee is placed as soon as possible.

Mr. Drayson

Can the Minister say whether he has received a letter from the Union of Building Trade Workers asking him to close down these training establishments?

Mr. Isaacs

That question does not arise out of the one on the Order Paper.