Major GUESTasked the Minister of Labour, in view of the great dearth of skilled mechanics in the engineering trades due to the lapse of the apprenticeship system, what steps the Government are taking to give practical training facilities in this direction; and whether this could be done in conjunction with manufacturers throughout the country?
§ Mr. E. BROWNThe shortage of certain classes of skilled mechanics in the engineering industry is mainly due to a great and sudden expansion in demand after a long period of depression, and not to the lapse of the system of apprenticeship, though there was, of course, a considerable reduction in the number of apprentices recruited into the industry during the period of depression. The engineering industry is alive to the necessity of increasing the numbers in training for the skilled occupations, and if, as 271W I hope, it experiences a continuance of the demand for its products, it can be relied upon to do so, though it will be appreciated that the process of training is bound to take some time.