§ 72. Mr. LUNNasked the Secretary of State for War why the fees paid by trainees at the Army vocational training centres have been increased during the present year, seeing that, because of the high fees, practically no rank-and-file trainees are able to take advantage of the scheme?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARYto the WAR OFFICE (Commodore Douglas King): The increase in the scale of fees at the Army vocational training centres to the present rate of 7s. 6d. a week was introduced after full consideration be- 2506 cause the previous rates were too low in view of the quality and cost of the instruction given, and tended to attract a certain number of men who were not prepared to take full advantage of the training. It is still too early to say what the effect of the increase will be, but I cannot agree that the cost is prohibitive even for the rank and file.
§ Mr. LUNNWould the hon. and gallant Gentleman say how many of the rank and file are taking advantage of it with the increased fee?
§ Commodore KINGI could not give details without notice.
§ Commodore KINGThe numbers? Perhaps the hon. Member would put down another question.
§ 73. Mr. LUNNasked the Secretary of State for War if steps are being taken to reduce the number of men in training at the Army vocational training centres; how many of the instructors at these training centres are being discharged; and if, seeing that these men enlisted as instructors on the distinct understanding that they could complete their service for pension, he will take into further consideration the views of the commandants and the general officers commanding on these matters before any definite action is taken?
§ Commodore KINGNo, Sir. We are anxious to increase the numbers. As regards the second and third parts of the question, the number of instructors is not being reduced but they are in future to be of a civilian status. The present instructors belonging to the Army Educational Corps will either be retained on a civilian basis or will be discharged on compensation terms. They were enlisted on the ordinary form of attestation and their claim to serve on for pension is, like that of other soldiers, subject to military requirements.
§ Mr. LUNNIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there is accommodation for training many hundreds of men in these vocational training establishments under the War Office? How is it that the War Office is attempting to strangle the efforts of other people to see that these men get the training which they need, and which is to their advantage and to the nation's?
§ Commodore KINGWe are only too anxious to increase the numbers. The present charge, 7s. 6d., cannot be regarded as prohibitive when it is realised that the men under training are all second or fourth year men getting at least 4s. a day.