HC Deb 18 July 1939 vol 350 cc167-9
6. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for War whether militiamen called up under the Military Training Act will be permitted to bring before the Military Service (Special Allowances) Advisory Committee, loss and hardships they have suffered through having been dismissed from their employment by reason of the fact that they are liable to be so called up, or through being refused employment for the same reason?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

As the hon. Member will see from Part B of the relevant White Paper (Cmd. 6043), the Advisory Committee to which he refers can deal only with cases in which monetary assistance is needed by persons who are undergoing training. Such cases as those to which he refers are, therefore, not within its scope. I would, however, refer the hon. Member to the provisions of Section 7 of the Military Training Act, and of the Regulations made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour under that Section (Statutory Rules and Orders, No. 625, 1939) in regard to dismissal from employment or failure to reinstate a man after the conclusion of his training. It is, of course, not in the power of the Government to compel a potential employer to engage a man not already in his service, whether or not he is liable to be called up as a militiaman.

Mr. Mander

If a man is in financial difficulties through having been dismissed from his job because he was liable to be called up, is there no tribunal to whom he can go and ask for an allowance?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

Yes, Sir, there is, and I have answered that part of the question.

Mr. Mander

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I put the question to the Minister of Labour, who said that the matter did not come under him and it ought to be referred to the Secretary of State for War?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

I think there is a slight misapprehension. There are two different sets of regulations. As I said in my answer, the advisory committee are there to deal with cases in which monetary assistance is needed by persons who are undergoing training. Their protection in employment depends on regulations made by the Ministry of Labour.

Mr. Mander

The question relates to the man, called up and undergoing training, who finds himself in financial difficulties because of having been dismissed from his job, and I am asking to what tribunal can a man in these circumstances appeal for financial assistance?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

I cannot add to the answer I have given.

15. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of a Stirling shire militiaman, owner of a one-man business, who, on applying for a grant to enable him to maintain his business while on service, was given three months exemption to enable him to dispose of his business; and what action he will take to fulfil the undertaking that grants would be available for such cases?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

The Hardship Committee, which deals only with postponement of service, postponed this man's service in order that he might make arrangements regarding his business. As regards monetary assistance, the man has been sent a form for the purpose of claiming special assistance, and, on return of the form, the claim will come before the Military Service (Special Allowances) Advisory Committee.

Mr. Gallacher

Is it not the case that this man was given three months in which to dispose of his business. In view of the hardship that is going to be imposed on very many young men throughout the country, can the right hon. Gentleman give the name of any young man in a one-man business who has been given any assistance to keep the business running while he is in the Army?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

Here is a case where the man applied for postponement in order to make arrangements for the carrying on of his business by someone else, probably his brother. The question of the monetary assistance which he is claiming will receive the attention of the Committee to which I have referred.