Duchess of ATHOLLasked the Minister of Labour if she will state how many training centres for boys and girls have been established since June, 1929, for the purpose of enabling them to be more adaptable to changes of occupation and how many she proposes to establish; whether the training at such centres is or will be whole or part time and for how long a period; and for how many young people the training centres do and/or will provide?
§ Miss BONDFIELDNine junior instruction centres and four junior instruction classes have been established since June, 1929. These centres and classes are established by local education authorities with the aid of grants from the Ministry. I am constantly in touch with authorities on the subject and endeavour to secure the establishment of centres or classes wherever the need exists. The hours of instruction vary from 15 to 30 per week. Attendance is in general compulsory so long as the unemployed juvenile is in receipt of benefit and voluntary otherwise. During the week ended 18th June, the last week for which figures are available, there was an average of 7,298 boys and 1,952 girls in attendance; 25,250 boys and girls have attended the centres since the 1st April, 1930.
Duchess of ATHOLLasked the Minister of Labour how many additional places in centres of training for domestic service have been provided since June, 1929; and if she intends to provide any further places in centres of this kind; and, if so, how many?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe increase in the number of places provided in the Home Training Centres of the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment between the end of June, 1929, and the present month was 140. Other domestic courses in contemplation will provide 150 places. I am always prepared to consider, in consultation with the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment, who conduct those centres on behalf of my Department, any proposal which may be made for establishing new centres in any places where an effective demand for such training exists.