§ 5. Mr. Hamlingasked the Minister of Labour whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT statistics showing the number of unemployed people who took up courses for industrial retraining at Government training centres for each if the last five years.
§ Mr. HattersleyWith permission I will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT statistics of all people who took up courses at Government training centres during each of the last five years. These statistics do not, however, distinguish between those who were employed and those who were unemployed immediately before starting their courses. The increase before 1963 and 1967 was approximately 180 per cent.
§ Mr. HamlingDoes not that reply show that there is a connection between the extension of this service and the policy of Her Majesty's Government in dealing with the problems arising from unemployment?
§ Mr. Fletcher-CookeAt the same time, will the Minister give statistics of those who have been retrained but who have been refused occupation in their new training owing to trade union objections?
§ Mr. HattersleyI shall do my best to present that figure, but I have to warn the hon. Member that it will not be a very large one and so it may not substantiate some of his prejudices.
§ Following is the information:
| Number taking up courses at | |
| Government Training Centres | |
| Year ending September, 1963 | 4,617 |
| Year ending September, 1964 | 6,357 |
| Year ending September, 1965 | 8,571 |
| Year ending September, 1966 | 10,494 |
| Year ending September, 1967 | 12,532 |