§ 7. Brigadier - General CHARTERISasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any further progress has been made with the proposal to grant educational facilities for the children of European foremen in the ordnance factories in India?
§ 6. Mr. R. MORRISONasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the children of British foremen employed in Government arsenals in India are, owing to the difficulties of education, very much behind the standard of other children of their age; and whether any recommendations can be made to the Government of India for improvements in the provision of education for them?
§ Earl WINTERTONMy Noble Friend is aware that difficulties have been experienced by European foremen in the ordnance factories in India in respect of the education of their children, and he has been in correspondence with the Government of India on the subject. They are now considering a general scheme for granting assistance, which will be applicable also to officers of similar standing in other civil Departments. Meanwhile they have allotted a lump sum to the Master-General of Supply for expenditure in the current financial year on grants of assistance to foremen in the ordnance factories according to the merits of each individual case. In addition, facilities for free education in Army schools will be given where practicable.
§ Colonel DAYCan the Noble Lord say what that lump sum is?
§ Earl WINTERTONI should have to have notice if it were to be stated 782 exactly, but I think it is in the neighbourhood of Rs.20,000. The hon. and gallant Gentleman will realise that this is only an interim arrangement.