Captain COOTEasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that ex-service pensioners under treatment are not qualified to receive grants from the Civil Liabilities Department unless in receipt of full treatment allowances; that therefore a man undergoing treatment upon several days in the week who merely is compensated for loss of time is disqualified, although that loss of time may be sufficient to prevent his providing for his future; and whether he can revise this Regulation?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am aware of these facts. As treatment allowances are not sanctioned by the Ministry of Pensions if the pensioner is in a position to accept employment, it was considered that as men receiving treatment, with allowances, were, equally with men in hospital, unable to take steps to provide for their future, they should be made eligible for assistance from the Civil Liabilities Fund. The time limit was accordingly extended for such men, but not for men who, though receiving occasional treatment, have opportunities for providing for their future.
Captain COOTEasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that many reservists who were called up for service during the coal stoppage were thereby completely ruined in their business prospects, whether industrial or agricultural; that these men have been refused any assistance owing to the Regulation which the Civil Liabilities Department is compelled to obey, and which forbids the making of grants unless applications are lodged within 12 months of first demobilisation or discharge, and that this insist- 68W tence on this Regulation is materially adding to the prevailing unemployment; and whether he can see his way clear to amend it?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe Civil Liabilities Department was inaugurated to alleviate hardship arising out of service with His Majesty's forces in the recent War. I am afraid that service during the coal stoppage cannot be admitted under this heading.
Captain COOTEasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that an applicant who is out of date cannot receive aid from the Civil Liabilities Department; that if the applicant, on being refused, crosses the road and secures industrial training at the public expense he is entitled to a grant for precisely the same purpose as indicated in his original application; that it costs on an average £290 to establish such a man as against an average of £30 if his original application were granted; and whether he can remedy this anomaly?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe facts are as stated in the first part of the question. As to the second part, a disabled man would not be regarded as eligible for training in a trade which he is able to follow notwithstanding his War service. Further, no Civil Liabilities Grant can be awarded to a trainee for whom there is an opening with an employer in the trade for which he has been trained. The contingency referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend is therefore most unlikely to arise. But I will look into the matter and consider whether any real hardship can arise, in which case I will ask for authority to deal with it on its merits.