§ Lieut.-Commander CHILCOTTasked the Minister of Labour whether many ex-service men still unemployed have exhausted their unemployment allowance; whether the grant expires altogether in a few weeks; and what steps the Government propose to take in order to prevent these men suffering undue hardship?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe number of ex-service men who had exhausted their donation allowance (exclusive of those whose donation was stopped by the Local Employment Committees before reaching the maximum) was about 18,700 at the middle of February, but I cannot say how many of these remain unemployed. The special extension of donation approved by this House in November last expires at the end of March, but this does not affect the donation under the ordinary scheme, which will remain payable during the 12 months after the date of personal demobilisation in each case. With regard to the last part of the question, I am considering whether any, and what, steps may require to be taken.