16Preference for ex-service men and women.N.I.
[F1(1)]The Ministry shall so exercise its discretion in selecting persons forF2 vocational training and industrial rehabilitation courses and facilities under section fifteen of this Act at any time while it appears to the Ministry that suchF2 courses and facilities cannot for the time being be provided for all persons in need of them,F2 and in selecting persons registered as handicapped by disablement with a view to submitting their names for engagements, as to secure that, so far as consistent with the efficient exercise of its powers, preference shall be given to personsF3. . . who have served whole time in the armed forces of the Crown or in the merchant navy or the mercantile marine and who before so serving were ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom;F3. . . [F1 and whose disability is due to that service.]
[F1(2)][F1For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, a disabled person's disability shall be treated as due to service of a particular kind only in such circumstances as may be prescribed.]