HC Deb 25 March 1920 vol 127 cc618-9W
Major BIRCHALL

asked the Minister of Labour why industrial training has not yet been provided for H. E. Smith, No. 586,873, (Gloucester Regiment, a disabled soldier, living at Upton St. Leonards, (Gloucester, who applied for training in July, 1919, and was accepted for coach-building after being told that electrical engineering was not open?

Mr. PARKER

I regret that there has been considerable delay in providing industrial training for H. E. Smith. The hon. and gallant Member will be aware that there is still a considerable shortage of training facilities. A class in coach-building is now being established at Bristol, and so soon as the necessary equipment has been delivered and Mr. Smith has been accepted by the Local Technical Advisory Committee as suitable for the trade, arrangements will be made for him to start training there.

Major BIRCHALL

asked the Minister of Labour why industrial training has not yet been provided for W. T. Baker, Gloucester Regiment, index No. 800, a disabled soldier living at Upton St. Leonards, Gloucester, who applied to be trained in September, 1919, at Gloucester, and was willing to enter the coach-building trade, as suggested, or any suitable trade after being told that motor engineering was not open?

Mr. PARKER

This man, upon his original application for training in motor driving and running repairs, was informed by letter that he could be trained in this occupation if he could produce evidence that satisfactory employment in the occupation would be available to him on the completion of his training. In October last a further letter was sent to him inquiring whether he would be prepared to take training in vehicle building. He does not appear to have replied to either of these letters. If, as appears to be the case, he is prepared to enter upon training in coach-building, arrangements will be made for him to be interviewed by the Local Technical Advisory Committee concerned at an early date, with a view to his being admitted to the appropriate course.

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