§ 34. Dr. Kingasked the Minister of Labour whether he will assist in the solution of the building labour problem for Southampton by re-opening the Adult Training Scheme for building workers.
§ Mr. IsaacsSince November, 1947, the Vocational Training Scheme for the building trades has been restricted to the disabled. The question whether recruitment should be re-opened to able-bodied men has for some considerable time been under examination by my Department with the industrial organisations concerned.
§ Dr. KingIs my right hon. Friend aware that the shortage of local building labour is one of the gravest problems of the blitzed towns, and that, pending the recognition by the nation of the needs of the blitzed towns, such a scheme as this would be of great help to Southampton?
§ Mr. IsaacsWithout going into the first part of that supplementary question, I can assure my hon. Friend that it is important that we should get co-operation with the industries concerned to set up again our training of adult labour.
§ Mr. GibsonWould it not help the situation very considerably if building employers were to carry out fully the apprentices scheme in the industry?
§ Mr. IsaacsI do not know that it is quite right to blame the employers in this, but it is a fact that the industry has not got the number of apprentices to which this scheme entitles it. Without putting blame anywhere, I may say it is the case that the normal number of recruits to the industry is not coming forward, and we are trying to get this further scheme adopted.
§ Mrs. MiddletonWill my right hon. Friend give an indication of when he will be able to come to a decision about the matter?
§ Mr. IsaacsI wish I could give such an indication.
§ Sir Herbert WilliamsCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many of the building force in Southampton are likely to be transferred to the new oil refinery which is being built near by?
§ Mr. IsaacsNot without notice.
§ Sir H. WilliamsWould the right hon. Gentleman ask the Minister of Town and Country Planning?