HC Deb 09 December 1919 vol 122 cc1103-4
7. Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. HALL

asked the Secretary of State for War if any alteration has been made in regard to the fees charged to cadets at Woolwich and Sandhurst since the termination of the War compared with the charges in force during the War; if so, whether the consequence has been to make it more difficult for a person. of moderate means to undergo a course of military training at these establishments; if he will state the average cost to a cadet of a complete course of training at Woolwich and Sandhurst during the War and now; and if, in view of the admirable results which were obtained under the special arrangements made for the war emergency, he will consider as to appointing a small Committee of Inquiry to go into the whole subject, and will arrange for the appointment of a representative of Labour on such Committee, to provide a check on the standard of expenditure to be adopted, in order that these national institutions shall not again become the preserves of one favoured class, irrespective of more important qualifications?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The scale of fees to be charged cadets at Woolwich and Sandhurst has been under consideration for some time, and I hope that an announcement will be made at a very early date. I hope the result when announced will convince my hon. and gallant Friend that there is no tendency to exclude a "person of moderate means."

Sir F. HALL

When does the right hon. Gentleman think an announcement will be made; also will he reply to the last part of the question?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I thought that my answer covered the last part of the question. I hope that an announcement will be made before the end of the year.