§ Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEEasked the Minister of Labour whether discharged officers and men who do not desire to return to their pre-war employment, and wish to take training courses for other posts, are eligible for the Maintenance Grant; and whether he is aware that applicants at the Ministry at Horrex's Hotel 1201W are being refused this grant on the grounds that they could obtain employment in their former occupation?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe answer to the first part of the question depends upon circumstances. It has, however, been laid down as a general principle that, if a candidate's pre-war employment was of a professional nature or belonged to the higher branch of commercial work, and if he is able to return to it, a grant out of public funds would not be justified for the purpose of training him to qualify for a new employment. If any of the cases referred to in the second part of the question are not covered by this general principle, I shall be glad to have particulars with a view to inquiry.