56. Mr. Watkinsasked the Minister of Labour why the National Institute of Houseworkers Centre at Swansea is to be closed; whether he will give information as to the number of girls who have been through the centre; how many have been placed in situations; whether he will make a statement as to the usefulness of this centre for South Wales; and if he will review the decision to close.
§ Sir W. MoncktonOwing to the need to reduce public expenditure, it has been necessary to reduce the grant to the National Institute of Houseworkers to an extent which will provide for only one training centre on present lines. The Institute will not therefore be in a position to retain the Swansea centre after the end of the present course in August. One hundred and thirty-four students have successfully completed their training at this centre and 122 of them have been placed in employment. This has undoubtedly been valuable work but, in present financial circumstances, funds cannot be made available to continue it.