HC Deb 07 August 1919 vol 119 cc555-6
84. Mr. F. ROBERTS

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in connection with the training schemes under his Department, it was first proposed to grant an allowance of 25s. per week; whether this has been reduced to 15s.; whether he is aware that women have been Waiting since March for the classes to open; that 15s. per week is insufficient for maintenance; and whether he will consider the advisability of fixing the allowance at the 25s. originally proposed?

Sir R. HORNE

The allowance of 25s. was, and still is, the allowance for those women who are obliged to live away from home during training, or who join a resident training course in a Government hostel. It was at first proposed that the training allowance for women who do not live away from home should be 15s. a week, but in view of the many representations I received as to the insufficiency of this allowance, the amount was recently raised to 20s. a week. No individual cases are known of women who have been awaiting training since March, but if the hon. Member will send me particulars of any such cases, I will have them investigated.