§ 100. Mr. W. Shepherdasked the Minister of Labour at what date he estimates the 31,000 applicants now awaiting vocational training will have commenced their instruction.
107. Mr. Amoryasked the Minister of Labour how many ex-Servicemen and women are still waiting for vacancies for training courses; the average time a trainee has to wait; and what action he is taking to speed things up.
§ Mr. IsaacsThe date of entering training will vary, according to the trade the applicant has selected, from a few weeks in the case of some of the building trades for which large numbers are required, to some months in the case of trades for which the numbers required by industry are at present strictly limited. I might add that during the four weeks ending 18th November, 1946, 6,069 applicants were allocated to training. The number of ex-Service applicants accepted and awaiting training is 29,294. Most of the men awaiting training are meantime in employment, and many who have waited a long time are men who have indicated that they would prefer to wait rather than take some other form of training. Where delay is due to lack of training facilities, every effort is being made to expand those facilities as rapidly as possible.
§ 111. Mr. Haleasked the Minister of Labour the numbers of men discharged from the Forces who have completed their basic training in plastering at a Government training centre; what are the num- 204W bers of such men who have been placed for further training with an employer in the scheme; and what is the average period of delay between the completion of basic training and the commencement of further training.
§ Mr. IsaacsThe number of men who had completed their basic training in plastering on 21st November was 889, of whom 819 have already been placed for further training with employers. In the case of the majority, placing is arranged before the trainee leaves the centre, and he goes direct to the employer. In certain cases, however, there is delay averaging about three weeks.