§ Major CRAWFURDasked the Minister of Health whether the employers and employés in the building industry have come to a decision as to the supply of labour for building which will enable unemployed ex-service men and trade unionists at present outside the industry who are over 20 years of age to be trained as bricklayers?
§ Sir K. WOODThe arrangements made to augment the skilled ranks of the building industry are set out in a Circular issued to local authorities in February last, a copy of which I shall be pleased to forward to the hon. Member. The employers and operatives propose to recruit the skilled ranks of the building industry by means of apprenticeship which would be open to all youths up to the age of 20. Men over 20 with a previous knowledge of the trade can also be apprenticed and become craftsmen after a shortened period of indenture and at special rates of remuneration.