HC Deb 08 June 1964 vol 696 cc5-6W
Miss Quennell

asked the Minister of Labour how many vocational training establishments are available for maladjusted, physically or mentally handicapped and educationally subnormal school leavers, respectively; and how many places are available for boys and girls, respectively.

Mr. Godber

For disabled young persons over school-leaving age who might benefit by vocational training and who cannot be placed in employment where any necessary training is given on the job, facilities are available at the Government Training Centres, of which there are at present 19, and, under the sponsorship of my Ministry, at three residential training colleges for the disabled and at technical and commercial colleges. No specific number of places under those arrangements is assigned especially to young persons but the number of applications received is not large. At the last count (June, 1963) the number of such trainees was 62 boys and 54 girls. Separate figures are not available to show whether any of these had been maladjusted or educationally subnormal. A number of voluntary organisations and local authorities provide training at various levels for young people in the categories mentioned in the Question but comprehensive statistics are not readily available.