WOODWORKING AND FURNITURE INDUSTRIES. (Hansard, 11 December 1929)

§ Mr. MARKHAM
asked the Minister of Labour what proportion of the workers in the wood and furniture trades in the County of London were unemployed in December, 1912, December, 1920, and December, 1928?

§ Mr. LAWSON
I regret that comparable statistics of unemployment in these industries are not available in respect of the years 1912 and 1920. The following table gives figures in respect of December, 1923, the earliest year for which comparable figures are available, and for December, 1928:
present being made for the training of unemployed persons of either sex; where are they being trained; in what occupa- 481W tions; under what system of selection; and at what cost to the State?

§ Miss BONDFIELD
The existing schemes administered or financially assisted by the Ministry of Labour provide for training of fit men at Government training centres for employment in

Centres. Nature of Instruction. Method of Selection.

Men (1) For employment in this country.

8 Government Training Centres non-residential, with a total capacity for 3,300 men. Men are trained as handymen in various occupations for a minimum period of 6 months. By Selection panels set up by the Ministry, from voluntary applicants between the ages of 18 and 32. Recruitment is mainly from the depressed areas.

5 Transfer Instructional Centres with total capacity for 1,200 men. Men are reconditioned by courses of labouring out of doors, with some elementary indoor instruction, for a maximum period of 12 weeks. By Selection Panels set up by the Ministry, from voluntary applicants between the ages of 18 and 32. Recruitment is almost entirely from the depressed areas.

(2) For Employment Overseas.

3 Permanent Farm Training Centres with total capacity for 620 men; and quasi-permanent Centres on the Foresty Commission Estates, available as required. Men are trained in farm work for a minimum period of 12 weeks. By a representative of the appropriate Dominion Authority from voluntary applicants between the ages of 19 and 35 for Canada, and 19 and 25 for Australia.

Women (1).

41 Day Home Training Centres providing 1,300 training places, for domestic employment in this country, conducted by the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment, the expenses being met by a grant from the Ministry. A residential Centre at Leamington Spa is about to be opened. Women and girls are trained in domestic subjects for a period of 13 weeks (with extension up to 17 weeks in the case of younger girls in the depressed areas), the normal attendance being 30 hours a week. The period of training in the proposed residential Centre will be from 8 to 10 weeks. Womem are selected by the Women's Sub-Committee of the local Employment Committee; girls are selected by the Juvenile Advisory Committee of the Local Employment Exchange. Women and girls between the ages of 16 and 35 are eligible. Girls of slightly over 15 from depressed areas are also admitted.

Note: One residential Centre at Market Harborough, for domestic employment in Australia, is also conducted by the Central Committee of Women's Training and Employment. It is administered by the Oversea Settlement Department of the Dominions Office and the cost is shared jointly by the British and Australian Governments.

(2) Four residential Centres, with 150 Training places, for domestic employment overseas conducted by voluntary organisations, with financial assistance from the Ministry of Labour. At these Centres, courses are given in the rudiments of general housework for a period of from 8 to 12 weeks. By a representative of the appropriate Dominion Authority. Women between the ages of 18 and 35 are eligible.

482W
this country and in the Dominions; reconditioning of fit men at transfer instructional centres for employment in this country; training of women and girls for domestic employment in this country; and overseas; and certain instruction for unemployed boys and girls. Particulars are given in the following table:
483W

Centres. Nature of Instruction Method of Selection.

Boys and Girls under 18 years of age.

87 Junior Instructional Centres (61 for boys and 26 for girls) administered by Education Authorities with the aid of grants from the Ministry. These Centres do not train for specific occupations but provide instruction, largely of a practical nature with a view to preventing demoralisation during periods of unemployment, and facilitating the absorption of the boys and girls into employment. All arrangements are in the hands of the Local Education Authorities. All unemployed boys and girls in the area about each Centre are eligible to attend. All juvenile claimants to benefit are required to attend as a condition for its receipt.

The total Annual Cost to the Exchequer of the above schemes administered or financially assisted by the Ministry of Labour is about £752,000.

Centres.	Nature of Instruction.	Method of Selection.
Men (1) For employment in this country.
8 Government Training Centres non-residential, with a total capacity for 3,300 men.	Men are trained as handymen in various occupations for a minimum period of 6 months.	By Selection panels set up by the Ministry, from voluntary applicants between the ages of 18 and 32. Recruitment is mainly from the depressed areas.
5 Transfer Instructional Centres with total capacity for 1,200 men.	Men are reconditioned by courses of labouring out of doors, with some elementary indoor instruction, for a maximum period of 12 weeks.	By Selection Panels set up by the Ministry, from voluntary applicants between the ages of 18 and 32. Recruitment is almost entirely from the depressed areas.
(2) For Employment Overseas.
3 Permanent Farm Training Centres with total capacity for 620 men; and quasi-permanent Centres on the Foresty Commission Estates, available as required.	Men are trained in farm work for a minimum period of 12 weeks.	By a representative of the appropriate Dominion Authority from voluntary applicants between the ages of 19 and 35 for Canada, and 19 and 25 for Australia.
Women (1).
41 Day Home Training Centres providing 1,300 training places, for domestic employment in this country, conducted by the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment, the expenses being met by a grant from the Ministry. A residential Centre at Leamington Spa is about to be opened.	Women and girls are trained in domestic subjects for a period of 13 weeks (with extension up to 17 weeks in the case of younger girls in the depressed areas), the normal attendance being 30 hours a week. The period of training in the proposed residential Centre will be from 8 to 10 weeks.	Womem are selected by the Women's Sub-Committee of the local Employment Committee; girls are selected by the Juvenile Advisory Committee of the Local Employment Exchange. Women and girls between the ages of 16 and 35 are eligible. Girls of slightly over 15 from depressed areas are also admitted.
Note: One residential Centre at Market Harborough, for domestic employment in Australia, is also conducted by the Central Committee of Women's Training and Employment. It is administered by the Oversea Settlement Department of the Dominions Office and the cost is shared jointly by the British and Australian Governments.
(2) Four residential Centres, with 150 Training places, for domestic employment overseas conducted by voluntary organisations, with financial assistance from the Ministry of Labour.	At these Centres, courses are given in the rudiments of general housework for a period of from 8 to 12 weeks.	By a representative of the appropriate Dominion Authority. Women between the ages of 18 and 35 are eligible.

Centres.	Nature of Instruction	Method of Selection.
Boys and Girls under 18 years of age.
87 Junior Instructional Centres (61 for boys and 26 for girls) administered by Education Authorities with the aid of grants from the Ministry.	These Centres do not train for specific occupations but provide instruction, largely of a practical nature with a view to preventing demoralisation during periods of unemployment, and facilitating the absorption of the boys and girls into employment.	All arrangements are in the hands of the Local Education Authorities. All unemployed boys and girls in the area about each Centre are eligible to attend. All juvenile claimants to benefit are required to attend as a condition for its receipt.
The total Annual Cost to the Exchequer of the above schemes administered or financially assisted by the Ministry of Labour is about £752,000.