§ Brigadier-General COLVINasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the delay in issuing the maintenance grant to demobilised officers and other ranks who are students at the universities; and whether, in order that their educational course should not be delayed, the number of preliminary forms could be reduced and payment of the grant made when the student enters the university?
Mr. H. LEWISMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am aware that there has been some delay in dealing definitely with the applications of ex-Service students for financial assistance. This was inevitable as questions arose which required the decision of the Government, responsibility for the scheme was shared between many Government Departments which had to establish common lines of action, and local committees had to be set up" and got to work in order to decentralise the work of administration and recommendation as much as possible. While this machinery was being set up the Board of Education arranged to pay interim grants in urgent cases, and more than 1,500 of these grants have already been paid. It is believed that by this means no urgent case was left without prompt assistance. The machinery for working the scheme is now in order, and steps are being taken to reduce all formalities as far as possible.
§ Sir ROBERT WOODSasked the Secretary of State for War if attested cadets of the Dublin University and Belfast University Officers' Training Corps are ineligible for the Government scheme of educational grants, while those of the Inns of Court and Artists Rifles are so eligible; and, if so, what is the reason for the distinction, 646W in view of the fact that the conditions of service are the same, except that the English contingents receive pay, while the Irish defray their own expenses?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe members of the Inns of Court and Artists Rifles Officers' Training Corps were fully enlisted private soldiers, liable for service under the Military Service Acts, and in exactly the same position as any soldier in any unit at home or overseas. They were paid as soldiers, and could be drafted wherever the Army Council thought best. The University (Senior) Contingents of the Officers' Training Corps were composed of volunteers, not liable for service under the Military Service Acts. The University Cadets were not paid, and the Army Council had no power to order them where they chose. It is true that in Ireland these volunteers were formally attested, but there was no substantial difference between them and the cadets of English University Contingents. The actual decision as to eligibility for educational grants under the Government scheme rests with the Ministry of Labour.