§ 70. Mr. GORDON MACDONALDasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will give for the latest convenient date at each military educational establishment the average salary paid to teachers at each school, the total cost per scholar at each school, and the total cost to the State of teachers' salaries at each school?
§ Mr. COOPERI presume the hon. Member is referring to Army children's schools. For the quarter ended 30th June last, the average attendance at home and abroad, excluding India, was 6,350, and the annual effective cost of staffing the schools, as provided for in the current Army Estimates, is £46,500. These schools are staffed by 27 serving soldiers of the Army Educational Corps, who receive military rates of pay, and 229 Queen's Army schoolmistresses whose rates of pay are based on the Burnham scales in operation in public elementary schools in England. Details as regards each school separately are not readily available.
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESAre the officers who undertake the task of teach- 324 ing these schools called upon to present some educational qualifications?
§ Mr. COOPERCertainly.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODCan the hon. Member tell us the exact cost of each scholar in the schools?
§ Mr. COOPERIt would be necessary to send round and make inquiries in every school, not only in this country but in those countries abroad where British troops are stationed, and it would entail a great deal of labour and expense.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIf I put down a question asking for the cost per scholar in the schools in this country, will the hon. Member be in a position to reply?
§ Mr. COOPERIf the hon. Member puts down a question he will get a reply.