§ 17. Major GLYNasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has obtained or, if not, whether he will obtain Reports from the Governments of Canada and Australia regarding the success or fail ire of soldiers trained at the Army vocational training centre since their arrival in those Dominions; and how many men so trained have settled in those Dominions, respectively?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI will consult my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Dominions Affairs as regards the suggestion contained in the first part of the question. I understand that he has just received a full report from the representative of his Department in Australia about those ex-soldiers trained under the scheme who have settled in Western Australia. As regards the last part of the question, the numbers are 89 and, 222.
§ Major GLYNHas the Secretary of State for War inquired as to whether more men can be trained there, and, if not service men, can ex-service men be trained there?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI think my hon. and gallant Friend knows the conditions under which the men are trained there. Our desire is to keep the training ground as full as possible.
§ 18. Major GLYNasked the Secretary for War how many soldiers have been 667 passed through the Army vocational training centre since its inception at Catterick and since its establishment in Wiltshire; how many soldiers are at present undergoing instruction; and how much accommodation is there available for members of the British Legion and their families who are anxious to go to the Dominions under the settlement scheme?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON - EVANSApproximately 2,000 soldiers have passed through the Army Vocational Training Centre at Catterick and 600 at Chisledon. About 300 are now undergoing training at Chisledon and same increase in this number is expected shortly, since vacancies are now, for the first time, being offered to soldiers due for discharge from India. The amount of accommodation available for members of the British Legion and their families depends on how many serving soldiers with families are undergoing training. For the time being it has been found possible to offer the British Legion accommodation for approximately 40 families.
§ Major GLYNIf it is proved that there is more room for members of the British Legion and their families to be trained there, will the War Office support that scheme?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON - EVANSThere is a proposal that room should be found for 400 other trainees and the War Office has given its assent to the proposal. I hope that additional accommodation will very shortly be filled up.
§ 19. Major GLYNasked the Secretary of State for War under what department of the War Office is the administration of the Army vocational training centre; what has been the total net cost of this establishment since its inception and since its removal to Wiltshire; what has been, during the present year, the cost of adapting the buildings at Chisledon to the use of the centre; and what is the anticipated revenue resulting from the farming operations this season?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON - EVANSThe Army vocational training centre is administered by the Adjutant-General's Department at the War Office. As re- 668 gards the second part of the question, I regret that figures are not readily available. As regards the third part, such adaptation of the buildings as may be necessary, as well as their maintenance, is carried out by the building trade students as part of their training, and except for some small expenditure en materials there has been no cost involved. As regards the last part, the estimated receipts from the sale of products at Chisledon, as shown on page 108 of the current Army Estimates, is £8,100, of which the bulk is in respect of farming operations.
§ Major GLYNIs it not a fact that a whole year of this particular work has cost the War Office only £5,000, and is that not a very admirable way of training men?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI think it is.