§ Mr. Bartlettasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that applicants for a course under the Further Education and Training Scheme have to wait some months for a decision, with the result that their 58 days of leave pending discharge may expire before the decision is made available and they may be directed to other work by his Department and miss the opportunities offered by this scheme and if he will take steps to remedy this state of affairs.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsIn consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education I am taking steps to ensure that applications for awards will be handled with the utmost despatch. I may add that there is no intention of directing an applicant to employment while his application is under consideration.