HC Deb 08 July 1924 vol 175 cc1991-2W
Lieut.-Colonel HORLICK

asked the Secretary of State for War how many non-commissioned officers and men of the Regular Army have received training in craftmanship since 1919; how many are known to have obtained employment in technical trades on completion of service; whether the objections of the trades unions to the employment of regular ex-service men in skilled work have been overcome: and how many men and boys are at present being trained in both technical and general trades?

Major ATTLEE

I regret I have no complete figures, but the number of boys now under training at Chepstow with a view to serving as tradesmen in the Army is 330, whilst the number of men under training at vocational training centres, with a view to obtaining civil employment after discharge, is 204. The number of men trained at vocational training centres for whom employment in technical trades has been found is 235. The question of making arrangements with the trade unions is in hand in conjunction with the Minister of Labour, but I cannot make any statement at present.