HC Deb 20 July 1932 vol 156 cc2249-50
2. Mr. MALONE

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that grants made by the Special Grants Committee for the education of the children of men who lost their lives during the War are being terminated on the ground that on a strict interpretation of the Regulations such grants are now considered to be outside the scope of the Ministry; whether this policy is the result of a representation from the Board of Education that there is a great shortage of secondary school accommodation; and whether some arrangement can be reached between the Ministry and the Board of Education to prevent an injustice being done to these children?

Major TRYON

Grants have, in some cases, been withdrawn because they were found to be outside the terms of the Regulations. The withdrawals were not the result of representations from the Board of Education, and the last part of the question does not therefore arise.

Mr. MA LONE

Have Regulations ever been laid down dealing with cases where grants have been withdrawn?

Major TRYON

I do not quite understand the point of my hon. Friend. New educational grants are still being made, and some existing grants which have been found to be outside the terms of the Regulations have been withdrawn.

Mr. MALONE

Does what my hon. and gallant Friend say mean that some people are without a pension at all?

Major TRYON

No. That is obviously not the case in this country, as the hon. Member knows well.

Mr. HOGGE

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman tell the House what he means by being outside the terms of the Regulations? To what Regulations does he refer?

Major TRYON

The Regulations governing the issue of these grants.

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