asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the development of electrical welding in the shipbuilding industry, he will consider offering facilities for the training of unemployed caulkers, riveters, platers, etc.?

Mr. HUDSON:

I understand that the training of ship welders is under discussion between the Shipbuilding Employers' Federation and the trade unions concerned. I am afraid I cannot hold out any hope at present of extending the scope of our existing training centres to cover this particular process.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of leaving this matter in the hands of the industry itself; and will he refuse to entertain any proposal for spending public money when the matter is being very well taken care of by the firms concerned?

Mr. HUDSON:

That is the object of the answer which I have given.

asked the Minister of Labour the percentage of unemployment on the Tyne and on the Clyde at the end of June, 1932 and 1933, respectively?

Mr. HUDSON:

The numbers of unemployed persons on the registers of employment exchanges on the Tyne, expressed as percentages of the estimated numbers of insured persons in the area, were 38.3 at 27th June, 1932, and 36.9 at 26th June, 1933. For the Clyde area the corresponding percentages were 32.6 and 31.0.