HC Deb 15 October 1942 vol 383 cc1765-6
63. Mr. Kenneth Lindsay

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will now issue as a White Paper the results of the recent national registration of young people whose ages lay between 16 and 18?

Mr. Butler

In order to gain a better picture of the situation, I have decided to defer consideration of this matter until I have before me the results of the further experience gained of the follow-up of the registration that took place last month, and the fuller reports asked for in Circular 1600, a copy of which I am sending the hon. Member?

Mr. Lindsay

As all the local education authorities have now reported, and as this information is of very great importance for pre-service and other purposes, will my right hon. Friend not let the country have the benefit of this knowledge?

Mr. Butler

I appreciate the importance of giving the House and the country a proper description of what happened. Unfortunately, the situation is not such that I have all the information necessary to give that picture. Therefore, we have approved in Circular 1600, which I hope my hon. Friend will study, the suggestion for making returns. When we have satisfactory returns, I shall be able to give a better picture.

Mr. Sorensen

When is the right hon. Gentleman likely to be able to give to the House a full report on this particular business?

Mr. Butler

As soon as we have the information that will come in as a result of the circulation of this document.

Mr. Edmund Harvey

Will my right hon. Friend consider issuing a White Paper when the returns are complete?

Mr. Butler

That is what I said I would do in my original answer.

Mr. Lindsay

I beg to give notice that I must reserve the right to raise this matter on the Adjournment.