HC Deb 03 July 1941 vol 372 c1483
38. Sir J. Mellor

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, to replace schoolmasters called up for military service without exposing boys and girls to the influence of conscientious objectors, he will issue an appeal to women of suitable experience and education to offer their services as teachers?

Mr. Ramsbotham

My information does not suggest that there is any necessity for the appeal which my hon. Friend proposes.

Sir J. Mellor

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that if conscientious objectors are genuine, they are likely to be of a fanatical disposition, and, if they are not genuine, they are even more undesirable for this purpose?

Mr. Ramsbotham

I understand that the point of the Question suggests that I should appeal to people of suitable experience to offer their services as teachers. We feel it is unnecessary, because there is no evidence that teachers who left the service on marriage are all absorbed.

Mr. Rhys Davies

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that some of these women might be conscientious objectors?

Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to keep conscientious objectors misleading the young?

Mr. McGovern

Better than some of the old generals.