§ 95. Mr. MYERSasked the Minister of Pensions whether local War pensions committees have, for many months past, been asking for a ruling with regard to the payment of bonus to ex-service men suffering from tuberculosis admitted as attributable to or aggravated by service who have completed a course of training arranged by local insurance committees; and whether he will state the reason why these men are deprived of benefits enjoyed by all other ex-service trainees?
35. Mr. ALFRED DAVIES (Clitheroe)asked the Minister of Health whether ex-service men suffering from tuberculosis accepted as attributable to, or aggravated by, service, who undergo a recognised course of training arranged by the local insurance committees, are unable to obtain payment of the bonus paid on termination of courses of training arranged by the Ministry of Labour or, in the case of concurrent training and treatment, by the Ministry of Pensions; whether he can explain why these men should be thus penalised; and whether he will take steps to ensure that these trainees shall enjoy the same benefits as other disabled ex-service men?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe training bonus is payable in cases where a disabled man, who is obliged in consequence of his disability to change his pre-War occupation, has satisfactorily completed a course of training which is certified by representatives of the trade as adequate to equip him for his new occupation. It 1881 is the practice of my Department, and of the Ministry of Labour, to secure trade approval, both of the course of training, and of the individual trainee, in order to provide the man with the best chance of securing regular and permanent employment in the new trade he has selected. So far as men suffering from tuberculosis have received training of this character in any class of institution, the bonus has been paid. Difficulty has, I understand, been experienced by the Ministry of Health with regard to the provision of courses of instruction in technical trades, and in such trades the training at present given is, for the most part, of an elementary kind, and cannot be regarded as regular vocational training. I am, however, in communication with the Ministry of Health on the matter.