§ Captain W. BENNasked the Minister of Pensions how many disabled ex-service men have applied for and have not received training?
§ Mr. SHAWI have been asked to reply. At the end of June, 3,567 disabled ex-service men, who had applied for and were eligible for training under the industrial training scheme, had not started 41W training. Of this number, 2,141 were resident in Ireland. 844 of those awaiting training were temporarily unfit for training, and 230 others are being considered for Civil Liabilities grants in lieu of training. I have no information as to the number of disabled ex-service men who have applied for training, but ineligible for it.
§ Captain BENNasked the Minister of Pensions whether the Government has considered the possibility of using the premises of the former Government factory at Gretna for the training of disabled ex-service men?
Mr. GRAHAMYes, Sir. But it appears, on inquiry, that there is ample accommodation in the existing Ministry of Labour training centres for all the disabled ex-service men who are eligible for and likely to require training—indeed, a number of centres have already been closed down.