§ Mr. F. ROBERTSasked the Minister of Pensions whether ex-service men who are unable to follow an occupation for which they have been trained under Government schemes, or who break down in health after working, are entitled to any allowance or pension?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIf their condition is due to war service, the men in question are entitled to pension and allowances, provided by the Royal Warrant, at the rate appropriate to their rank and the degree of disablement which is found to exist.
§ Mr. ROBERTSasked the Minister of Pensions the number of ex-service men who have been unable to follow the occupation for which they have been specially trained under Government schemes; and the number who have broken down in health after a short period of employment?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have been asked to reply. I am not in a position to state the number of ex-soldiers who have proved physically incapable of following the occupations for which they have been trained under the Ministry of Labour, but all the information at my command goes to show that the number is small. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, every man is first medically examined and is then interviewed by the local technical advisory committee concerned, or other competent technical authority, before he is accepted for training. I may add that during a man's training there is always the possibility of transferring to another course if that upon which he has entered is seen to be unsuitable. This is frequently done.