§ Colonel MILDMAYasked the Minister of Labour whether he will have inquiries made into the case of Gunner Edward Herbert Bowden, No. 178606, Royal Field Artillery, who joined the Army at the age of eighteen years and was discharged as unfit in October, 1919, after being wounded in the leg and left elbow; whether, owing to these defects he was unable to resume his apprenticeship as a wheelwright and blacksmith, and consequently applied for training in the boot and shoe work so as to enable him to enter his own father's business; whether he is aware that, in spite of the fact that the training is immediately available in the father's shop, and has been recommended by the local war pensions committee, it has been refused him, after many months of correspondence with the divisional director of training at Plymouth; and whether urgent inquiries can be made with a view to reconsideration of this case?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe facts are materially as stated by my hon. and gallant Friend. For some time past, the Trade Board for the Boot and Shoe Trade, who act as the National Advisory Committee for the industry, in view of the employment position in the industry have not considered it advisable to admit any further men for training, unless a special recommendation is received from the Local Technical Advisory Committee in view of the large number of men who have already either completed or commenced their training. In this instance the Local Technical Advisory Committee have not seen their way to make such a recommendation. I understand, however, that the situation has been explained at length to Mr. Bowden who has refused to consider any alternative type 2771W of training that might be available. Under these conditions, I regret that it is not possible to help him until the Local Technical Advisory Committee concerned are in a position to recommend him for training.