§ 28. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Minister of Labour why assistance by his Department to ex-Regular Service men in training in business or trades on their leaving His Majesty's Forces depends upon the private means of the officers and men concerned; and if he will end this means test at an early date.
§ Mr. IsaacsThis is not the practice in the case of men taking vocational training for skilled trades. In the case of business training, maintenance grants are payable, where necessary, in order to provide broadly the reasonable requirements and standard of living to which the applicant is accustomed. For this purpose, as in the case of other comparable resettlement schemes, other income, including the pensions and retired pay payable in a large number of cases, is one of the factors taken into account. I see no justification for altering these arrangements. In all cases the training is provided free.
§ Major Legge-BourkeDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that in pamphlet P.L.309 issued by his Ministry last year, it is quite clearly stated that the object of the scheme is to ensure that those men and women who serve a period of Regular service in His Majesty's 15 Forces should have short courses of training with a view to assisting them to obtain posts? If that is necessary, why should the men and women who have helped themselves and saved up a little be penalised compared with those who have not done so?
§ Mr. IsaacsThe hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension. As I have previously made clear to the hon. Member for Blackpool, North (Mr. Low), savings are not taken into account. If the hon. and gallant Member will look at my answer, he will see that we wish to maintain the requirements and standards of living to which the applicant is accustomed. As applicants are in various walks of life, we cannot have a fixed rate, otherwise we should be over-generous to some and under-generous to others. Each application is considered on its merits.