§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the First Lord of the Admiralty on what grounds Alwyne Silby, who served as a wireless operator on the Admiralty collier H.M.T. 367, has been refused a grant towards his education; and whether members of the Merchant Service are excluded from the Government. scheme of assisting the higher education of ex-Service officers and men?
§ Sir R. HORNEI have been asked to reply to this question. It is a condition of eligibilty for a Grant under the Training Grants Scheme that the prospective recipient should have served during the War in the Naval, Military, or Air Forces of the Crown, for which payment was made out of moneys provided by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. I have ascertained from the Admiralty that Mr. Silby did not fulfil this condition, and I regret that in the circumstances I am not in a position to review the decision in his case.
§ Mr. D. GRAHAMasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Second-Lieutenant James A. Dunlop, 15th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, who joined the Army in December, 1915, and was demobilised in January, 1919, to pursue his studies as an agricultural student in Edinburgh University, has had his application for a maintenance grant refused; whether he is aware that prior to his entering the university he interviewed representatives of the Appointments Department in Bath Street, Glasgow, and also in the Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh, with respect to the payment of the maintenance grant, and was advised by them to proceed with his studies; that, with the aid of his parents, he paid all fees and maintained himself during his first session at the university; and that, notwithstanding that he passed in all his subjects during his first session, he is now unable to continue his attendance owing to lack of funds; and whether his application will be reconsidered with a, view to granting such assistance as will enable him to finish his course?
§ Sir R. HORNEI understand that the training desired by Lieut. Dunlop was of 255W a type which is provided by the Scottish Board of Agriculture, and I am not in a position to review the decision of that Department. I am inquiring into the allegation that it was on the advice of the Appointments Department that Lieut. Dunlop began training before his application had been adjudicated upon.