§ 41. Mr. C. Johnsonasked the Minister of Labour if he will consult the trade organisations concerned and representatives of local industry before deciding to close the Government training centre at Kidbrooke.
§ Mr. HareI consulted the local employment committees and disablement advisory committees in the area. Both trade unions and local industry are represented on these committees and I took their views into account before arriving at the decision to close the centre which I announced in Answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr. B. Harrison) on 8th December.
§ Mr. JohnsonArising out of that reply, may I ask whether the Minister is aware that many of the existing classes at Kidbrooke were practically full and that if they are transferred to other centres it will also be necessary to transfer instructors, otherwise the classes will be above the permitted maximum? Secondly, in which county or counties will the alternative centres be provided and what are the facilities for getting to them, having regard to the fact that so many of these trainees are disabled persons?
§ Mr. HareThe hon. Member is misinformed about how full these courses are. This centre has only 160 places and these have been only 60 per cent. full for the last few years. I shall be delighted to send him full details of the alternative facilities which are available.
§ Mr. JohnsonDoes not the Minister agree that the bricklaying class at this centre is full and that there is no alternative provision for bricklaying at any of the other centres?
§ Mr. HareI gave the hon. Member the answer to the effect that 60 per cent. of these vacancies are not filled. I will send him full details of the alternative arrangements which are being made.