§ Colonel ASHLEYasked the Minister of Labour, what is now the considered policy of the Government with respect to the payment of unemployment benefit to ex-service men, and especially if it is proposed to extend the period, when the need is urgent, in cases where the payment is about to expire?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe policy of the Government is represented by the Out-of-Work Donation Scheme under which ex-service men if unemployed are entitled to donation during the year following their personal demobilisation up to a number of weeks which may amount to a total of 46 in the case of disabled men and 39 in the case of non-disabled men; in addition a further nine weeks may be drawn during the period ending 31st March next. I am afraid that I cannot now give any undertaking to extend the grant of donation to ex-service men who have exhausted their right to donation before the 31st March next.