§ Mr. G. JONESasked the Minister of Labour whether, in the London area, only 22 disabled sailors and soldiers are being trained for the plumbing trade; how long the full course of training, with and without maintenance, lasts; what are the conditions laid down by the local technical advisory committee for training in this trade; whether the smallness of the number of men being trained is due to such conditions; and what is the estimated total cost to the country per man for the whole course of training?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe number of ex-service men being trained as plumbers in the London area is at the moment 48. The full course of training is for five years, and maintenance allowances are paid during 1½ years. The local technical advisory committee concerned require, I understand, that applicants for training should not be more than 30 years of age. The comparatively small number of men in training in the trade in London is not, however, due to this requirement, but to the view expressed by the representatives of the operative plumbers, sitting upon the local technical advisory committee, that the absorp-630W tive capacity of the trade in London has now been exhausted; for this reason they are not prepared at the moment to accept more men for training. Inquiries are being made as to the prospects of employment in this trade, and should it appear that vacancies exist, the local technical advisory committee will be requested to admit further ex-service men for training. In view of the different conditions under which training is being given in technical institutes, in Government instructional factories, and with private employers, it is difficult to give a general figure as to the cost. The cost per trainee per week whilst in an instructional factory is, however, approximately £2 per week, excluding the amount of the man's training allowance.