§ Major Lyonsasked the President of the Board of Education what steps he has taken to ensure that suitable girls, as well as boys, are being trained in technical engineering schools throughout the country; whether arrangements have been made for the more advanced students to repair and re-assemble, vehicles and engines belonging, or essential, to the war effort; and whether there is continuous collaboration between his Department and the Ministries of Labour and Supply in these matters?
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§ Mr. ButlerI assume that my hon. and learned Friend has primarily in mind special training related to the war-time effort. In addition to the continued output to the engineering industry from junior technical schools, the Board have taken steps to ensure the fullest use of technical colleges for the training of persons of both sexes prior to entry into wartime industry. This training is now mainly in the form of short intensive courses for women and girls, while training on a large scale is afforded to tradesmen in the fighting Services, including soldiers concerned with the maintenance of vehicles. I am sending my hon. Friend further particulars about the nature of the training. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the affirmative.