§ 58. Mr. Bartlettasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the rate of allowances payable to disabled agricultural trainees upon which an announcement was promised in the House of Commons on 14th June last, has yet been decided; and whether he will bear in mind the extra expenses incurred by these disabled men.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsThe maintenance and other allowances payable to disabled persons in receipt of vocational training in agriculture, as in other occupations, under the provisions of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944, have now been brought into line, with effect 924 from 2nd July, 1945, with those of the Government's Vocational Training Scheme which were announced by the Minister of Labour and National Service in the House on 14th June last.
§ 67. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture if the Government's Farm Training Scheme is open to all suitable men in the Services who desire to enter agricultural employment or farm on their own account.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsYes, Sir, subject to the satisfaction of the broad conditions of eligibility applicable to all applicants for vocational training under the Government Scheme, as announced in the House by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour and National Service on 6th April, 1944. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Southall (Mr. Ayles) on this subject on 24th October last.
§ Mr. HurdIs the Minister satisfied with the working of these arrangements, which have so far allowed only a few-hundred men to be approved?
§ Mr. WilliamsYes, sir. I understand the Ministry of Labour interpret the conditions liberally in the case of men who desire to take up agricultural training.
§ 76. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will issue a full statement of the Government's intentions with regard to the employment after training of those applicants for the Agricultural and Horticultural Training Scheme who prove satisfactory.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsAs indicated in the detailed announcement of the scheme which my Department issued to the Press on 5th June last, it is anticipated that many training employers will wish to give employment to trainees who have satisfactorily completed training with them, but in any case my Department, through the county agricultural executive committees will take all practicable steps to ensure that satisfactory trainees are found suitable employment on the land.
§ Major Legge-BourkeDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that when a man intends to take up agriculture for the rest of his life and hopes to make a livelihood from it, he should have some 925 more security before he starts than the mere promise that everything possible that can be done will be done?
§ Mr. WilliamsI can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that all the trainees who are proved to be satisfactory should have ample opportunities to engage in the industry for the rest of their lives.
§ Mr. StephenIs the Minister making arrangements for these people to be granted smallholdings?
§ Mr. WilliamsI am afraid that the question of smallholdings does not arise out of this Question.
§ 77. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is satisfied that the Agricultural and Horticultural Training Scheme in England and Wales, for non-disabled men and women released from war service, is attracting sufficient numbers of men and women; how many have applied; and if he has any such scheme for disabled ex-Servicemen.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsEight hundred and twenty-three had applied for agricultural and horticultural training under my Department's scheme up to 30th November. I am hopeful that there will be a substantial increase in the number of applicants for training as younger men and women are released from the Forces. Training under the scheme is available to disabled as well as non-disabled ex-Servicemen.
§ Major Legge-BourkeHas the Minister any target figure for the next six months?
§ Mr. WilliamsOur target is just as many trainees as we can possibly get.