asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-Servicemen, who have applied to undertake a vocational training course, are still waiting to be called after a period of six months, nine months and 12 months, respectively.

The information asked for is not immediately available but I am having it extracted and will write to the hon. Member.

Is it not a fact that ex-Servicemen have waited, and are still waiting, for periods of over 12 months? Is not that very disturbing, and what does the Minister propose to do to take up this time lag?

The answer to that is quite clear. It is that we are only training men in such numbers as industry agrees can be absorbed. Were we to extend our training facilities and to train a greater number of men, we should find they were unemployed when they came out. All the training is done in consultation with industry and we train the numbers which we are assured have a chance of finding employment.

Why is it that the Minister says that these figures are not available?

I said they are not immediately available. I am having them extracted and I will send them to the hon. Member.

Will the right hon. Gentleman circulate the information?

Certainly, I will.