Mr. WEST RUSSELLasked the Minister of Labour how many training centres have been established for unemployed persons in the Tyneside area; where they are situated; and the number of persons attending them during the last week for which figures are available?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThere is a Government training centre at Wallsend for the training of unemployed men for employment in this country, at which the number of men in training in the week ending 6th January was 393. For unemployed women and girls there are five home training centres, at Newcastle, Jarrow, Gateshead, Blaydon and South Shields. In the week ending 11th January there were 70 women and 110 girls in attendance. For unemployed juveniles between the ages of 14 and 18 years of age there are six junior instruction centres, four for boys, namely, at Newcastle, Jarrow, Gateshead and South Shields, and two for girls, namely, at Newcastle and Gateshead. The junior instruction centres are conducted by local education authorities with financial assistance from the Ministry of Labour. The average daily attendance during the week ending 22nd January was 466 boys and 179 girls.
§ Mr. DAYasked the Minister of Labour whether any new training centres have been opened during the previous six months; and will she give particulars?
§ Miss BONDFIELDSince June, 1929, the following developments have taken place:
Men: Government training centres have been opened at Slough on 26th June, and at Watford on 28th November. The capacity of each of these centres is 400. Transfer instructional centres have been opened at Presteign on 25th June; at Carshalton on 26th August; and at Poole on 1st. October. The capacity of the 1201W centre at Presteign is 200, while that of each of the centres at Carshalton and Poole is 250.
Women and Girls: Four home training centres have been opened; at Lennox-town on 9th September, with accommodation for 20 women; at Durham on 30th September, with accommodation for 30 girls between 15 and 16 years of age; at Maesteg on 2nd October, with accommodation for 10 girls between 16 and 18 years of age, and 10 girls between 15 and 16 years of age; and at Workington on 16th October, with accommodation for 40 women. A new residential centre for training women and girls for domestic service will open at Leamington, Warwickshire, on 29th January, 1930.
§ Mr. MALONEasked the Minister of Labour how many young men from the Welsh and other coalfields are receiving instruction in ladies' hairdressing at the Government's training centres at Birmingham or elsewhere?
§ Miss BONDF1ELDThe number of men from mining areas at training centres who, on 17th January last, were receiving instruction in ladies' and gentlemen's hairdressing was 63. In no case was the instruction being given in ladies' hairdressing only.