§ Mr. Skeffingtonasked the Minister of Labour how many persons, male and female, are being trained in establishments coming under the authority of his Department; and what are the numbers and principal courses for which training is given.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThere were at 9th November, 1953, 2,917 men and 216 women undergoing courses of vocational training for open employment in establishments which are either directly administered or grant-aided by my Department. At the date in question, the numbers in the principal training courses at Government training centres and residential colleges for the disabled were as follow:
— Men Women Government Training Centres: Building and civil engineering 292 — Engineering: Draughtsmen 285 — Others 966 — Agricultural machinery 41 — Boot and shoe repairing 35 — Clerical, inc. shorthand typists 24 108 Hairdressing 97 — Motor repairs 105 — Typewriter mechanics 139 — Vehicle building and painting 42 — Watch and clock repairing 200 — Miscellaneous trades 255 17 2,481 125 Residential Colleges for the Disabled: Carpentry 19 — Clerical, inc. shorthand typists 116 43 Telephone operators 18 11 Watch and clock repairing and making 51 — Miscellaneous trades 232 37 436 91 In addition, severely disabled persons requiring sheltered employment are under training in sheltered conditions at institutions grant-aided by my Department. The number of trainees and the trades concerned is as follows:
214W
(1) Blind Trainees in Workshops for the Blind Trade Men Women Total Basket making 108 3 111 Bedding and upholstery 43 16 59 Brush making 76 2 78 Carpentry and furniture 11 3 14 knitting and weaving 3 58 61 Mat making 21 — 21 Piano tuning 7 1 8 Wire work 7 — 7 Miscellaneous 10 2 12 286 85 371 (2) Sighted severely disabled trainees in voluntary undertakings Trade Men Women Total Basket making 6 — 6 Bookbinding 5 — 5 Cabinet making 14 — 14 Carpentry 103 — 103 Clerical, inc. shorthand typists 27 9 36 Engineering 12 — 12 Knitting 7 5 12 Leatherwork 30 8 38 Motor repairs 10 — 10 Needlework — 29 29 Textile printing — 14 14 Upholstery 17 9 26 Printing 14 7 21 Miscellaneous 35 5 40 280 86 366 I have no precise figures of the number of severely disabled persons being trained by Remploy Ltd. for sheltered employment, but I understand that the number is considerable.