§ 38. Mr. DONALDasked the Minister of Labour why young men of the mercantile marine who were on service during the War have been refused financial assistance while studying for their Board of Trade certificate, seeing that these men's period of service was interrupted during the War?
§ 40. MR. W. GRAHAMasked the Minister of Labour whether men who served in the mercantile marine during the War are excluded from the training schemes of his Department; and whether, having regard to the danger to which these men were almost always exposed and that their War service was as real as that of many men with the ordinary forces who are eligible for training and grants, the Government is now prepared to alter the Regulations applying to demobilised men of the mercantile marine?
§ Sir R. HORNEAs I explained to the hon. and gallant Member for South Nottingham in an answer given on the third day of this month, the limits of the maintenance and training grants' scheme administered by my Department were fixed after a full review of all the relevant factors, and it was decided that it was impossible to include members of the Mercantile Marine as a, class in that scheme; although the matter has been reconsidered by me on more than one, occasion, I fear I cannot see my way to recommend a reversal of this decision. I may add that members of the Mercantile Marine who enter into certain agreements with the Admiralty and were disabled during their service under such agreements, are already eligible for training under the scheme.
§ Mr. GRAHAMIn view of the fact that the bulk of these men suffered very considerably, and further, that their numbers are very small, would it not be possible to include them in this scheme without much additional cost to the State?
§ Sir R. HORNEEveryone knows that the utmost possible sympathy is felt by all for members of the Mercantile Marine. But this is a question which is entirely separate from the main question of apprenticeships in other trades. While we have applied the apprenticeship 2195 scheme to those whose apprenticeships were interrupted during the War, the same kind of considerations do not apply to the Mercantile Marine, and what we are really being asked to do is to provide for people during the time they are preparing for their examination. That does not fall within the general limits of the scheme, and I am afraid I cannot promise any reversal of any decision already arrived at.
§ Mr. GRAHAMDoes that apply strictly to men of the mercantile marine who are really in the position of disabled men, and why should any distinction be drawn?
§ Sir R. HORNEThere is no distinction in that respect. So far as they are disabled men there will be adequate opportunities of training, just the same as the others.