HC Deb 10 December 1919 vol 122 cc1481-2

Motion made, and Question proposed, That a sum, not exceeding £99,500, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the expense of Educational Services, which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1920, in addition to a sum of £318,000 to be, allocated for this purpose from the sum of £120,000.000 voted on account of Navy Services generally.

Viscount CURZON

May I ask whether the Admiralty are tackling the whole question as to education, and will they, when the Estimates are brought up in March next, be prepared to give some idea of the policy which they are going to pursue in future years in regard to the education of officers, and particularly public school cadets?

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

I think it is most unfortunate that the Naval Staff College has been retained at Greenwich. I believe most of the present staff, and particularly the junior officers, would prefer it to be at Camberley. Greenwich is too near London, and at Camberley it would be in touch with the Military and Air Force, and you would get that clash of mind which is desirable.

Dr. MACNAMARA

With regard to the first question as to the education of naval officers and our position, there is no proposal whatever to depart from the special entry system. I do not know that I can say anything more upon the matter than that. As to Greenwich we do not propose to change the college.

Question put, and agreed to.