38. Lieutenant-Colonel Sir JOHN HOPEasked the Minister of Labour whether a soldier who was fifteen years of age and in the band of a Territorial battalion of the Royal Scots on the outbreak of war, and consequently at once mobilised, is eligible for a Grant to enable him to be now apprenticed as an engineer?
§ Mr. WARDLEIf the boy mentioned in the question was an apprentice at the time he was mobilised, he would be eligible to benefit under the scheme for assisting ex-Service apprentices. The question of the possibility of providing training for youths, other than apprentices, who joined the Colours when under age is under consideration.
Sir J. HOPEWill the hon. Gentleman take into consideration that this boy was too young to be an apprentice at the outbreak of war, andhe would have subsequently become an apprentice if he had not been engaged in serving his country, and is he not equally deserving of consideration with those who were actually apprenticed?
§ Mr. WARDLECertainly; and that is exactly the point we are considering what we should do with regard to those other than apprentices who joined the Colours when under age.
Sir J. HOPECan a decision not be shortly arrived at, because these boys are ready to take up apprenticeship, and they cannot live on nothing?
§ Mr. WARDLEI expect a decision will be arrived at very shortly.