§ Mr. BLAIRasked the Minister of Pensions if Circular 735, issued on 18th March, prevents disabled men from making applications for grants to start in business through the Civil Liabilities Department if they have been demobilised for more than 12 months; and, if so, will he give instructions that applications which were accepted by the local committee before the date of this circular shall be eligible?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have been asked to reply to this question. I have been in communication with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions, and am informed that it is not clear to what Circular 735 refers. With regard to the concessions concerning the last date of application, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for the Clitheroe Division (Mr. A. Davies) on 20th May last, in which I said that it, had been decided to grant discretionary power to the Civil Liabilities' Department, under conditions set out in that answer, to make grants in hard cases without regard to the regulations concerning the last date of application. Instructions dealing with this matter are in course of preparation, and I understand that they will be issued shortly to Local War Pensions Committees by my right hon. Friend.