HC Deb 21 October 1943 vol 392 cc1482-3
5. Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has come to a decision regarding the pay of disabled ex-Service men while undergoing courses at a training centre?

Mr. Bevin

Yes, Sir. An improved scale of allowances for disabled persons in training under the special scheme has been authorised and is now in force. The new scale provides for an allowance of 50s. per week to a single man and 60s. per week to a married man, with 4s. per week for each child under the age of 16. Payments under the special scheme are now in general comparable with the net payments to disabled or other persons who are in receipt of wages under the ordinary training scheme but exact parity between the two schemes is not possible because the one contains the element of additional allowances for dependants, and no deductions for tax or insurance, while the other is based on wage rates, with no dependant's allowances, but subject to deductions for tax and insurance.

Sir A. Knox

Is the Minister aware that the New Zealand Government have instituted such a scheme, giving £5 5s. a week to disabled men exclusive of pension?

Mr. Bevin

I dare say we shall be able to do the same when we get the same type of Government here.