41. Mr. T. WILSONasked the President of the Board of Education whether it is proposed that all teachers under the age of fifty-one years and classified in Grade 1 are to be released for military service; and, if so, whether before coming to this decision due regard was had to the present scarcity of male teachers, the number who have already joined the Army, and the difficulty which exists in augmenting the teaching profession in proportion to the demand for teachers?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Herbert Lewis)The hon. Member will see from the Board's circulars 1,046 and 1,047, of which I am sending him copies, that the Minister of National Service is prepared to consider recommendations made by the Board for postponement of the military service of Grade 1 teachers and educational officials whose withdrawal from their civil work would involve the crippling of the work of particular schools or authorities. Careful consideration was given to the matters mentioned in the last part of the question 1731 before the arrangements set out in the circulars were decided upon, and the effect of the withdrawal of teachers and officials from the educational service is being carefully watched.
§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEApart from the exceptoinal cases to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred, where permission is given for teachers to remain, is it intended to withdraw all teachers, generally speaking, up to the age of fifty-one, who are in Grade 1?
§ Mr. LEWISI would refer my hon. Friend to the terms of the reply which I have given and to the circulars.