HC Deb 22 July 1926 vol 198 cc1419-21
57. Mr. RENNIE SMITH

asked the Secretary of State for War how many youths at present in junior divisions of the Officers' Training Corps joined at the age of 13, 14, 15, and 16 years, respectively; and whether there is a maximum age for joining a junior division?

only, pending acceptance by the grantees of the conditions imposed upon them. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the separate figures of confirmed allocations for each year.

Mr. LUNN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he is seeking to strike a mortal blow at the development of mining education by passing the Mining Industry Bill?

Colonel LANE FOX

No.

Mr. LEE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this sum includes any grants made by the local district committees?

Colonel LANE FOX

Yes, Sir. I cannot give the actual figures off-hand, but it does include that.

Mr. SPENCER

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this sum is the chief sum which is being applied to mining subjects strictly, and whether the additional sum which has gone to other forms of education are included in this amount?

Colonel LANE FOX

I must have notice of that question.

The figures of confirmed allocations are as follow:

Mr. SMITH

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the number of boys who are joining the association is large or small?

Captain KING

It was at the hon. Member's request that I undertook to get a Report of the last year's working of the Officers' Training Corps placed in the Library, and it is there now.

Mr. SMITH

That Report does not give any figures with regard to the number of boys of the age of 13, and I am asking whether there are a large number of them joining at that age?

Captain KING

I can give no information. As I have said we have no information on that point.

Mr. SMITH

In view of the fact that the general age as regards industrial occupations is 14, does the hon. and gallant Gentleman not think that for the purposes of apprenticeship to a military vocation the age of 13 is a little too low?

Captain KING

It is not an apprenticeship to a military occupation, and I do not think a boy is too young to learn how to defend his country.