§ Mr. N. MACLEANasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of any employers refusing to adopt the Government's scheme for augmenting the wages of apprentices returned from the Army; whether he is aware that in Aberdeen a number of employers in the engineering 1763W industry have refused to pay the wages necessary to entitle apprentices to the Government grant; and whether any action can be taken to bring these apprentices within the scheme?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am aware that a limited number of firms have not adopted the Government scheme for assisting ex-service apprentices. In Aberdeen, with the exception of five firms, all the engineering establishments have adopted the scheme. The scheme is a voluntary one, and I have no power to compel acceptance. I should, however, state that every effort has been made by the Labour Ministry to overcome the opposition of these five employers, but unfortunately so far without result.