HC Deb 03 April 1922 vol 152 cc1857-8W
Major W. MURRAY

asked the Minister of Labour whether Mr. K. Saunderson, late company-sergeant-major, King's Own Scottish Borderers, is entitled to a grant from the Civil Liabilities Military Service Committee, seeing that he took a course of commercial subjects in the year 1921 in order to fit himself for such a grant to be used in setting up a small confectionery business, and that he has been strongly recommended by the local committee and also by the joint disablement committees at Edinburgh and Glasgow; and whether, in view of the good prospects before Mr. Saunderson in respect of the proposed business, he will have this matter reconsidered?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Ordinarily a grant under the civil liabilities scheme is regarded as an alternative to training under the industrial training scheme, but a grant may be made to a trainee to set him up in the business or occupation in which he has been trained, provided that the occupation is one in which men commonly set up in independent business and the local conditions make a grant desirable. Mr. Saunderson received a course of training in commercial subjects from February to November, 1921, including arithmetic, book-keeping, shorthand, typewriting and business methods. The trade in which he wished to be set up is not the trade in which he was trained. He is therefore not eligible for a grant. His case, however, is being put before a voluntary organisation in case they may be able to assist him.