IN CIVIL LIFE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 4, 6 January 1944, Page 3

IN CIVIL LIFE

HELP FOR EX-SOLDIERS

It was the (government's aim to help in every possible way ex-service-men who were' eligible for assistance, and this help was only withheld when expert opinion considered that it was not in the best interests of the man himself to take up the business or farm that he proposed, said the Minister of Rehabilitation (Major Skinner) last night. He gave an indication of the extent to which the Government is assisting ex-servicemen in re-establishing themselves in civil life by quoting figures of financial assistance granted through the State Advances Corporation. During November, 11 loans involving £31,295, for the purchase of farms were made; 76 advances were made for the erection or purchase of houses, totalling £77,870; 14 ■ loans totalling £380 were made for the purchase of tools of trade; 170 loans totalling £16,215 for the purchase of furniture; and £11,052 was advanced to ex-ser-vicemen for the purchase of businesses. The total amount ' advanced during the month to ex-servicemen was £136,812.

Since the start of the scheme, 162 ex-servicemen have been settled on freehold farms, and £471,629 has been advanced, for this purpose; 525 applications have been approved for the erection or purchase of dwellings involving £527,710; 105 ex-servicemen have been assisted to buy tools of trade to the extent of £2628; £114,210 has been advanced for the purchase of furniture; 150 loans totalling £52,018 have been made for the purchase of businesses. The total amount advanced to ex-servicemen up to the end of November was £1,168,195, and the number of ex-servicemen who have been granted assistance is 2234.