HC Deb 24 February 1948 vol 447 cc1774-6
83. Sir Patrick Hannon

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on the progress of the training courses for ex-Service men conducted under the auspices of his Ministry; if the scheme is receiving the co-operation of employers; whether any figures are available of the number of students accepted by firms engaged in production for the export drive; and if he supports the projected programme of educational work in the interests of students and ex-students preparing for skilled employment in Birmingham and the Midlands.

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Isaacs)

Under the business training scheme 6,508 persons have completed the general training and almost all of these are in employment or are completing their training with individual firms. The scheme has been highly successful, and I am much indebted to employers for their very helpful co-operation. We do not keep records showing which of the employers who have accepted students are engaged in production for the export drive. I am certainly in sympathy with the efforts which are being made by ex-students to continue their study of management problems.

Sir P. Hannon

Is any local organisation in the Midlands assisting the right hon. Gentleman in this valuable work in the education of these young students?

Mr. Isaacs

There are no definite organisations but many employers are actively co-operating. May I thank the hon. Gentleman himself for his courteous help in this matter?

85. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of ex-Service bricklayer trainees are now out of employment; and what provision is being made in such cases to ensure continuity of employment as bricklayers.

Mr. Isaacs

The number of men who have completed their six months' course in bricklaying at Government training centres and await placing with an employer for their 14 months' continued training is 708. This number has been falling since the peak of 1,595 last August and I have reason to hope that all these men will be placed in due course. The number who fell out of continued training during the last month for which figures are available is 883. Every effort is made to place such men who so desire with other employers and the information available suggests that these efforts are generally successful.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

What does my right hon. Friend suggest or advise in the case of those ex-Service trainees who have not yet been successful in finding employment as bricklayers?

Mr. Isaacs

My advice is that they should come to the employment exchange, and we will do the best we can to help them.

Squadron-Leader Fleming

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any objection to these ex-Service trainees from the trade union movement, as there was some months ago in the Bolton area?

Mr. Isaacs

The hon. and gallant Member brought up an individual case in Bolton which was soon straightened out. So far as the trade unions are concerned, it is due entirely to their co-operation and assistance that this scheme has worked at all.