§ MR. BRIGHT (Oldham)On behalf of the hon. Member for North Salford, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that compulsion to join in miniature rifle shooting and military drill already exists in several schools connected with the Head Masters' Association and a number of preparatory schools; whether he contemplates an extension of this compulsory military training in schools; and whether State-aid for such training, which was recently disavowed by the Government in connection with elementary schools, is proposed in the case of secondary schools.
§ MR. HALDANEThe Government has no intention of making any grant for the purpose of introducing compulsion of any kind, and I may say generally that the question of compulsory military drill and miniature rifle shooting in schools does not, and cannot, come within the sphere of influence of the Army Council.