HC Deb 21 August 1945 vol 413 cc423-4
3. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress has been made in supplying teachers, textbooks and educational facilities generally for men serving in the C.M.F.

Mr. Lawson

As the answer is rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the Official Report.

Following is the answer:

Under the war-time Education Scheme a considerable range of educational facilities has been provided in C.M.F. The Army Education Scheme prepared for the release period is now being implemented as rapidly as possible by units in a position to take advantage of it.

Training courses for Unit Instructors have been held continuously at the Army School of Education, Perugis, since September last; during the quarter ended 30th June, 1945, 396 Unit Education Officers and 662 Unit Instructors were trained at the school. In addition, many courses have been held in formations and considerable use is being made of civilian instructors, particularly for languages and art.

Education Centres, providing a variety of cultural facilities, have been established in many localities. War Office Correspondence Courses are available to all ranks. A Formation College to provide full-time courses of one month for 1,000 students has been established.

81,600 books for unit libraries and 51,845 text-books have already been despatched to C.M.F. for use in connection with the release period Scheme, and more will be despatched as the books become available. This is in addition to a large number of books despatched to C.M.F. during the past two years in connection with the war-time Scheme.

The bulk of the Force's requirements of stationery has been despatched and arrangements have been made for the supply of other educational equipment.