HC Deb 17 March 1947 vol 435 cc29-30W
Sir E. Graham-Little

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent it is the policy of his Department, when considering applications for F.E.B. grants from applicants who performed war service other than, in the Armed Forces, such as in the case submitted of an undergraduate of London University, to postpone consideration until the applicant would have been released had he been in the Armed Forces.

Mr. Isaacs

An application for a grant under the Further Education and Training Scheme is not accepted until the applicant has fulfilled his national service obligations in the Armed Forces or elsewhere. The applicant to whom the hon. Member refers is an alien and it is my policy not to accept an application from an alien before the date on which, had he been a British subject serving in the Army, he would have been in a position to apply for a grant. The rule is based on Army releases because there are more men in the Army awaiting release than in the other two Services.