HC Deb 11 April 1927 vol 205 cc52-3W
Miss BONDFIELD

asked the Minister of Labour how many women have been trained at the South Shields Training Centre; how many obtained employment after training; to what extent the aftercare reports show that the employment was of a permanent nature; and whether the number of places open to women desiring to be trained is equal to the applications for such training in that district?

Mr. BETTERTON

740 women have received training at the South Shields Home Training Centre since 1923. Complete after-care figures are not available for earlier courses, but reports on seven courses held during 1925–26 show that an average of 72 per cent. of the women trained obtained work, and a special inquiry carried out by the Superintendent in respect of women trained from 1923—April, 1926, showed that 47 per cent. were still in domestic work, and 58 per cent. in employment.

Miss BONDFIELD

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of girls trained at the Chatham Juvenile Centre; the number of the courses given; how many girls obtained employment after training; to what extent the after-care reports show that the employment was of a permanent and satisfactory nature; and how many girls are at present in training?

Mr. BETTERTON

333 juveniles from 16–18 years of age have received training at the Chatham Home Training Centre since 1923, ten courses having been held. 98 per cent. of the girls trained obtained work on completion of training, and from a special inquiry made by the Juvenile Employment Officer, covering a period of three years, 81 per cent. of the girls trained were shown to be still in domestic work and 86 per cent. in employment. The eleventh course is now in operation, providing accommodation for 30 girls.

Miss BONDFIELD

asked the Minister of Labour how many women were trained at the Portsmouth Home Training Centre up to the time of its closing in April; 1926; how many obtained employment after leaving; and to what extent the after-care reports show that the employment they obtained was of a permanent nature?

Mr. BETTERTON

246 women received training at the Portsmouth Home Training Centre from 1923 to April, 1926, of whom 90 per cent. are known to have obtained domestic employment on completion of training. From a special inquiry made by the Superintendent in February, 1926, over a period of three years from 1923, information is available to show that 74 per cent. of the women trained during that period had already held positions in domestic employment for periods varying from six months to two years and upwards, the maximum period possible at the time of inquiry.