HC Deb 20 September 1948 vol 456 cc511-2
60. Sir Robert Young

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many ex-Service men have attended, and are attending, the Kent Farm Institute, Sittingbourne; how many of these have found employment in agricultural employment, and why non-Service men receive no grant and have difficulty in finding work in agricultural pursuits.

Mr. T. Williams

Under the Vocational Training Scheme, to which my hon. Friend presumably refers, 28 men have completed courses at the Kent Farm Institute and 24 men will take the course which starts next month. All those who have completed the course had posts to go to, but two are known to have since left and the principal is assisting them to find other employment. The scheme is not restricted to ex-Service men and women, but is open to anyone with a period of full-time service on work of national importance, if they are in need of training, to enable them to obtain satisfactory employment suited to their general capacity. Students who do not qualify under the Vocational Training Scheme are eligible for consideration for scholarships awarded by local education authorities, and I am not aware that they have any difficulty in finding employment.

Sir R. Young

Can my right hon. Friend say what is the amount of the grant given to ex-Service men?

Mr. Williams

Not without notice