HC Deb 04 December 1951 vol 494 c2218
37. Mr. Steward

asked the Minister of Works what steps he is taking to ensure that there is an increased intake of building apprentices in order that the expanded housing programme will not be held up owing to shortages of skilled labour.

Mr. Eccles

The Building Apprenticeship and Training Council has recommended a variety of measures to stimulate recruitment in the right crafts and in suitable districts, to improve facilities for vocational training and to encourage indentures and registration. The industry and the Government are acting together in this problem. The work done to encourage apprenticeship was a feature of the Building Trade Exhibition at Olympia, as of the many exhibitions that have been sponsored by my Department throughout the country.