HC Deb 11 March 1943 vol 387 cc851-2
38. Sir Charles Edwards

asked the President of the Board of Education why there is a difference in the Girls' Training Corps to the Air Training Corps for boys; whether he is aware that the Girls' Training Corps have to pay fees, get no uniform and have financial obligations which the boys have not; and whether, as this hinders enrolment in this Corps, he will take steps to put them on the same footing?

Mr. Butler

The A.T.C. for boys is a pre-Service organisation sponsored and financed by the Air Ministry to prepare boys for service with the Royal Air Force. The National Association of Girls' Training Corps is a voluntary organisation which, while specifically concerned to prepare girls for the women's services of His Majesty's Forces and other forms of National Service, takes its place with the other national voluntary organisations for girls. On the question of the supply of uniforms, I regret that I have nothing to add to the replies given on the 30th September last to the hon. Member for Bilston (Mr. Hannah) and on the 23rd of last month to the hon. Member for East Islington (Mrs. Cazalet Keir), copies of which I am sending my right hon. Friend.

Sir Percy Harris

Do not girls attach far more importance to a uniform, and should we not recognise the equality of the sexes in this matter?

Mr. Butler

All I can say is that girls manage to get themselves up very nicely. I am sorry there is this differentiation.

Mr. George Griffiths

Does not the Minister realise how discouraging it is to the girls and the officers in charge of them? If he went about the country and asked about this matter, he would find out how discouraging it is because they are not on an equal footing with boys.

Mr. Butler

I do go about the country, and I am aware that there is a certain amount of dissatisfaction about this matter. If it were possible to provide uniforms, I should be only too glad to do so, but unfortunately it is not possible at present.

Mr. Sorensen

If the right hon. Gentleman does provide uniforms in this case, will he do so for other girls' organisations?