Lieut.-Colonel V. HENDERSONasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that six ex-service men, named Taylor, Litt, Herron, Jennings, Burns, and Moore, applied for the special shortened course of training for posts as certified teachers in 1923; that their application was received by the Ministry of Labour too late to be considered in the usual course, but a special case was made and their expenses paid for one year only, although the course sanctioned by the Board of Education must last for two years; that as these men had no means of meeting their expenses for the second year, the United Services Fund sanctioned the payment of £274 4s. 2(1. to meet the situation; and whether he is prepared to reimburse the fund, in view of the fact that the training would have been of no practical use to these men unless they had completed the second year's course?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe men In question chose this course of training in preference to alternative courses which were offered to them. The precise extent 459W of the financial assistance which the Ministry was able to give was very clearly explained to them, both verbally and in writing, by the Southampton University College authorities and by officers of the Ministry of Labour before they made their choice. In these circumstances I regret that I cannot accede to the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion that a further special grant should be made.