§ Colonel ASHLEYasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that demobilised men whose businesses were abandoned when they were called to the Colours, and who are badly in need of assistance to re-start, are being told by the Civil Liabilities authorities that they are not empowered to help them in any way; and whether, in view of the amount of hardship entailed, he can give any information as to the proper authority to whom these men should apply?
§ Mr. WARDLEI have been asked to reply to this question. The Civil Liabilities Department are engaged in investigating the applications of demobilised officers and men who seek assistance in reopening their businesses. If the hon. and gallant Member will be good enough to furnish me with details of the cases to which he refers, I shall cause inquiry to be made into them.
§ Mr. A. WILLIAMSasked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Commissioners give to men who came voluntarily from abroad to fight for this country any grants in respects of liabilities arising outside the United Kingdom in cases where their families are out- 441W side the Kingdom; and, if not, whether he will take steps to have this injustice remedied?
§ Mr. WARDLEI have been asked to reply to this question. Under the regulations governing this scheme, the assistance given by the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Department is confined to certain liabilities arising in the United Kingdom. Where men coming from abroad to join His Majesty's Forces have incurred reasonably similar liabilities in the United Kingdom, the Department have entertained applications for assistance from such men. I do not think that it would be advisable, even if it were practicable, to extend the scheme to include liabilities arising in countries outside the United Kingdom.