HC Deb 11 June 1941 vol 372 cc183-4
38. Mr. Vernon Bartlett

asked the Secretary of State for War how much was spent on Army education during the six months preceding the end of the last financial year; what proportion of this was expended on vocational courses; and what proportion on the provision of classes and lectures arranged through regional committees for adult education?

Mr. Law

I regret that precise figures are not available. But, excluding the cost of the Army Educational Corps, which amounted during the six months preceding the end of the last financial year to about £50,000, the total expenditure during this period on the scheme for education in the war-time Army was approximately £30,000. Of this, about £11,000 represents the cost of the provision of lectures and classes through the regional committees for adult education, and some £1,500 was spent on vocational courses. The cost of these two particular items is low in relation to the work done, since well over half the lecturers claimed no fee for their services and much of the work on the vocational correspondence courses was done without remuneration. I should like to take this opportunity to express the Army's gratitude to those who have voluntarily contributed so much to the success of the education scheme.

Mr. Edmund Harvey

Will further efforts be made during the ensuing winter to enlarge this educational programme?

Mr. Law

Certainly; it is being constantly developed.