§ Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Labour when Mr. B. A. Shepherd who, on release from the R.A.F. in August, 1945, applied for assistance under the Further Education and Training Scheme in order to pursue his studies at the Royal 209W Agricultural College, may expect a decision on his application.
§ Mr. IsaacsA favourable decision has now been sent to Mr. Shepherd. I find that there was undue delay in dealing with this case for which I wish to express my regret.
§ Captain C. Smithasked the Minister of Labour the total number of applications for Government grants under the Further Education and Training Scheme; the total number of grants made and the average time which elapses between the application being made and the result notified.
§ Mr. Isaacs15,653 applications have been received up to 31st January, 1946; grants had been made in 3,649 cases and the applicant had been notified that a grant would be made in a further number of cases estimated at 2,600. The average time which elapses in a straightforward case between the application being made and the result notified varies between six and nine weeks.