§ 8. Mr. Greyasked the Minister of Labour why the increased allowances which have been granted to trainees at Government training centres have been refused for disabled trainees at the Finchall Abbey Training Centre for the Disabled, Durham.
§ Mr. HareThe increase in allowances to men in Government Training Centres was designed to encourage men becoming redundant in the coal mining and railway industries to take up a course of training instead of unskilled work. I am, however, considering whether there are other grounds for increasing the allowance at the residential centres.
§ Mr. GreyWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask him whether he does not think it outrageous that these people should not have been considered in the first place? We are dealing here with disabled persons who cannot have the facilities enjoyed by fit people. Will he bring their allowances up to the same level as those given to others who enjoy ordinary training facilities?
§ Mr. HareAs I have explained, the object of this exercise was primarily to help people who became redundant in coal mining and the railways to have training in other skills rather than leaving them to take unskilled jobs. However, I have noted the repercussions and, as I have indicated, I am considering what can be done in answer to the main point of the hon. Member's Question.
§ Mr. PopplewellIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the trainees taken into Finchale Abbey will have jobs available in the areas they go to afterwards? Considerable difficulty is encountered by some in finding jobs even after training.
§ Mr. HareOf course, I am never satisfied on these matters, and, as the hon. Member has pointed out, there are grave difficulties in finding jobs. Certainly we shall do all we can to help.