§ 17. Mr. Dunnasked the Secretary of State for Air, in view of recent pronouncements by the director of the Air Training Corps that one of the chief aims of that organisation is to encourage ex-elementary school boys to train for entry to the Royal Air Force as air crews, how many Air Training Corps cadets whose full-time education was obtained solely at elementary schools passed the examinations for proficiency certificates, pilots and observers, up to 31st July, 1942; what percentage they represent of the estimated total strength of the Air Training Corps; and what percentage of the failures were due to failure in the mathematics paper?
§ Sir A. SinclairApproximately 5,500 cadets who received full-time education solely at elementary schools gained proficiency certificates (air crew) in the period in question. This figure represented about 40 per cent. of the total proficient cadets over the same period and about 2¾ per cent. of the total strength of the Air Training Corps at 31st July, 1942. The proportion of failures in mathematics was about 50 per cent.
§ Mr. DunnIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that we are making full use in this service of ex-elementary school boys who have gone into industry?
§ Sir A. SinclairYes, Sir. I hope the hon. Member will be satisfied when he considers my answer.