HC Deb 09 May 1939 vol 347 cc285-6
56. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the continuous increase in the number of His Majesty's Army, he will consider extending educational facilities other than for military or technical purposes; whether to this end he will consult and make arrangements with organisations dealing with adult education; and will he consider making arrangements with public and county libraries for the supply of books with due consideration of the frequent transfer of men and units from one centre to another?

Sir V. Warrender

General education is compulsory in the Army up to the standard of the Army second-class certificate of education, which is approximately the standard reached in the top class of an elementary school; and facilities are provided, on a voluntary basis, for further education up to the standard of the Army special certificate of education, which is generally accepted as being equivalent to matriculation examination standard. In addition to books of an instructional nature, libraries of reference and other books are provided in each unit for the use of the troops.

Mr. Sorensen

Cannot the hon. Gentleman give me some answer to the part of the question dealing with the connection between the Army and county public libraries; and in view of the fact that shortly we may have conscripts in the ranks who, in some cases, will be younger than those who have joined voluntarily, will he not consider the possibility of linking up with these libraries so as to provide cultural facilities for these younger people?

Sir V. Warrender

I told the hon. Member that in addition to books of an instructional nature reference and other books are kept in each unit, and if he knows of a case where such books are not available, perhaps he will let me know.

Mr. Sorensen

Will the hon. Gentleman appreciate that all that I am suggesting is that there might be some organic connection with the county libraries, so that as regiments move about these young, men will be in touch with books of a wider range than those provided?