§ Mr. WATERSONasked the Minister of Pensions whether Mr. Henry Wright, a discharged soldier, reference number 80,011/L6, has undergone training for agricultural work and is now in difficult circumstances, having made application for assistance from the Civil Liabilities Department of Savoy Place to purchase a small holding or farm, and is now waiting that committee's decision, although the above cannot be hold over any longer than another day or two; and, seeing that he has notice to quit from his present cottage by 11th March next, as the house is required for an estate servant, can he expedite the decision or recommend the committee to grant the loan and save this soldier from becoming homeless?
§ Sir R. HORNEI have been asked to reply to this question. I have ascertained on enquiry from the Ministry of Pensions that an application for a grant from the King's Fund has been received from Mr. Wright. I am in communication with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions in the matter and will communicate the result to the applicant as early as possible.
Major HENDERSONasked the Minister of Labour whether Mr. James M'Farlane, 4, Dundas Street, Glasgow, a disabled soldier, made an application to the Civil Liabilities Commissioners for a grant to start business which was refused under NO. XD 38,100; why this application was refused; and whether it can be reconsidered?
§ Sir R. HORNEI have been unable to make a grant in this case because the application was not presented in time. Mr. M'Farlane was discharged in November, 1917, and therefore his application to be in time under the Regulations of the scheme which the Civil Liabilities Department administers should have been presented not later than the 30th September, 1919. He did not in fact apply until the 9th December last. If Mr. M'Farlane has had to undergo treatment for his 455W disability since his discharge and his Local War Pensions Committee were to forward a certificate stating the time or times during which he was undergoing treatment, I would consider whether the case could be re-opened.
Major HENDERSONasked the Minister of Labour whether Mr. T. Duncan, 7, Butterbiggins Road, Glasgow, a disabled soldier, made an application to the Civil Liabilities Commissioners for a grant to start business, which was refused on 28th January, under Number XD 37,846; why this application was refused; and whether it can be reconsidered?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe application was refused on the ground that it was not made in time. Under the Regulations of the scheme administered by the Civil Liabilities Department application to be in time must be made within a year of demobilisation or discharge if the applicant was demobilised after the 11th November, 1918. Mr. Duncan was discharged on the 23rd November, 1918, but did not apply until the 8th December, 1919. Sanction has been obtained for an extension of the time-limit in the cases of disabled men who have been prevented by undergoing treatment for their disability from applying within the prescribed period. Inquiry has been made with a view to ascertaining whether Mr. Duncan has been so prevented, and the case will be reopened should the facts justify this course.