§ 17. Dr. Comynsasked the Minister or Labour what training centres are available in the region of the Metropolitan Essex area; if he is satisfied that sufficient centres are now available to meet the shortage of building craftsmen for permanent housing schemes in the area; and whether he proposes to establish any new centres in the near future.
§ Mr. IsaacsA permanent building trades centre is already in operation at Barking. Another is being built at Chadwell Heath and there is a further centre in operation in the adjacent district of Edmonton. In addition to these, there are 11 centres in operation or being built in the London area, including one at Enfield. These facilities will, I am satisfied, meet the needs of the area.
§ Dr. ComynsWas this decision reached after consultation with the Ministry of Health?
§ Mr. IsaacsThe decision was reached many months ago, and we have been consistently and continuously finding centres to adapt for this purpose.
§ 18. Dr. Comynsasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that ex-Servicemen in the Silvertown area have been awaiting admission to a Government training centre for training as building craftsmen for more than 15 months; if he will cause to be reviewed the method of selection so that no man is required to wait for so long a period in the future; and whether, in the event of any delay of more than a few months, an adequate explanation is sent to the waiting applicant.
§ Mr. IsaacsIn allocating men to training, preference is, in general, given to the younger ex-Servicemen who, because of their war service, were unable to start or complete their training for a skilled trade. But other factors have to be taken into account and if my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of the cases he has in mind I will make inquiries. Applicants for whom training facilities are unlikely to be available for a substantial period are notified of this fact.