§ 98. Lieutenant-Colonel Lord HENRY CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Pensions Minister whether, in view of the delay in providing the promised State assistance to soldier apprentices on discharge, he will, having regard to the necessity of instant action, formulate proposals, e.g., by employing either the Whitley committees or the local advisory committees, to enable such assistance to be rendered in a simpler and more expeditious manner?
§ Mr. PARKER (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply to this question. Proposals for assisting those persons whose apprenticeship was interrupted by service in His Majesty's Forces have already been approved by the Government. Negotiations are now being carried on with national joint industrial councils and other committees representative of various trades. It is hoped that, as a result of these negotiations, it will be possible at an early date to secure agreements which will enable assistance to be rendered to returning apprentices.
§ Mr. HOGGEWhen there is an agreement will applications be made to the Ministry of Labour or Ministry of Pensions?
§ Mr. PARKERI am afraid I am not in a position to answer without notice.