§ 30. Major Tufton Beamishasked the Minister of Labour how many of his officials are empowered to withhold a resettlement grant from an ex-Serviceman, who fulfils the necessary qualifications, simply on the grounds that the chances of such a grant being successfully applied are considered remote.
§ Mr. IsaacsThe decision to make or withhold a resettlement grant is not taken by any single officer of my Department. Every application is carefully examined by one of 35 boards, each presided over by the chairman of the district manpower board. The board are responsible for the expenditure of public money and, therefore, it is their duty to satisfy themselves that any grant made will be properly expended. If, in any particular case, they are of opinion that the proposed business has no reasonable prospect of success, they have no option but to reject the application.
§ Major BeamishCan the right hon. Gentleman say what appeal there is against the decision of these boards, on whose whim a resettlement grant is made?
§ Mr. IsaacsThere is no question of a whim. These boards are given power Which it is their responsibility to carry out.
§ Major BeamishBut what appeal is there? Cannot the right hon. Gentleman answer that?
§ Mr. IsaacsI must admit that at the moment I cannot. I am sorry. It is no good trying to guess an answer, and I will undertake to write to the hon. and gallant Gentleman and let him know.