§ 1. Mr. R. YOUNGasked the Minister of Labour whether Sergeant Edward Watersworth, No. 694,138, Labour Corps, served from 1914 to 1918, and again enlisted in May, 1919, and was discharged in December, 1919; whether he applied for a grant of £100 for pig and poultry farming, and was recommended by the doctor of the Lancashire tuberculosis dispensary and passed by an inspector of agriculture as a fit and proper person for the grant, but has been refused on the ground of his second enlistment; and whether, in all these cases, a man's War service will be rendered null and void for a civil liabilities grant because of post-War service of a few months' duration?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Dr. Macnamara)It is the case that an application was received from Sergeant Watersworth and was refused. The reason for refusal was that his application was not made within 12 months from the date of his demobilisation from War service. A man's War service is not rendered null and void for a civil liabilities grant because of post-War service of a few months' duration, provided his application is made within 12 months from the date of his original discharge.
§ Mr. YOUNGWould it be possible for this man to make an application after his first demobilisation?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI do not think so. I have no discretion in the matter, but let my hon. Friend put that proposition to me.