38. Brigadier Clarkeasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what proportion of dockyard apprentices terminate their work in Her Majesty's Dockyard at the end of their apprenticeships.
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasApprentices become liable for National Service at the end of their five-year apprenticeship, and the latest entry due to have completed their National Service are those who joined in 1945 and completed apprenticeship in 1950. Of this entry, about one-quarter have left Admiralty employment, and just over another fifth have not yet returned to the dockyards.
Brigadier ClarkeWill my right hon Friend give these apprentices some incentive to remain in Her Majesty's service after the very expensive training that they have to undergo? Is it not a bad thing for the country if 25 per cent. of them leave before they go on to become useful workers in the dockyards?
§ Mr. ThomasI will see what can be done about it, but I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that 77 per cent. of those who completed their apprenticeship in 1949 remained in the Admiralty service, and that only 23 per cent. left it.
§ Mr. AwberyIs the Minister aware that the Select Committee last year decided that something should be done to encourage apprentices to remain on after they have fulfilled their apprenticeship? Has anything been done, arising out of that report?
§ Mr. ThomasCertainly something has been done. The hon. Member should realise that the reply has had to be sent not to this House but to the Committee itself, according to the usual custom of this House.
§ Mr. AlbuHow do the figures compare with the figures of those who leave apprenticeships in industry outside?
§ Mr. ThomasI cannot give the comparison without notice.