§ 14. Mr. HOGGEasked the Minister of Labour what provisions the Government have made for assisting discharged and demobilised officers and men for rehabilitating them in businesses ruined on account of their service; whether applications can now be made; and, if so, to whom and where?
§ Sir R. HORNEI may refer the hon. Member to the reply which was given to the hon. Member for West Bermondsey on the 13th February, as to the general scope of the provision to be made for assisting officers and men in the circumstances mentioned in the question. The Regulations governing the scheme have now been approved, and the final arrangements for bringing the scheme into operation are being made as rapidly as possible and will, I hope, be published very shortly. The Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Department are giving consideration to any communication on the matter which may be addressed to them.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is the kind of answer we have had to this question for the last four weeks; and can he say definitely that the Civil Liabilities Committee are now prepared to receive an application from a demobilised officer or man asking for financial assistance in re-establishing himself in the business which has been ruined on account of his joining the Colours?
§ Sir R. HORNEYes, Sir. I would remind my hon. Friend that the Civil Liabilities Committee has only been newly taken over by the Ministry of Labour, but now I can assure him that we shall be ready to receive applications as soon as they like to make them.
§ Captain REDMONDDoes this proposed scheme apply to Ireland?
§ Sir R. HORNEYes; it applies so far as I understand, to the whole of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. ROWLANDSHas any scheme been submitted to the Advisory Committee of the Civil Liabilities or is any scheme to be submitted to them?
§ Sir R. HORNEA new scheme has been devised. Regulations have been newly made which I understand have been before the Civil Liabilities Committee.