§ 7. Sir John Mellorasked the Minister of Education whether he is aware of the dislocation of arrangements for A.T.C. and other camps, consequent upon his sudden decision to prohibit leave of absence being granted during the school term to cadets from schools maintained by local education authorities; and whether he will now permit such leave to be granted for attendance at cadet camps already arranged to take place in July, 1947.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe regulations have been in operation since 1st April, 1945, and the position appears to have been generally understood since, as 1 informed the hon. Member on 7th July, Cadet Forces do in fact try to avoid sending cadets of school units to camp during the school term. If, however, the local education authority is satisfied that there has been in any particular case a genuine misunderstanding and it is now impracticable to alter the arrangements, I should not seek to prevent cadet camps already fixed from taking place, provided the regulations are observed in future.
§ Sir J. MellorWhile I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his answer, may I ask if he will see that it is conveyed to all the education authorities, so that they can take action?
§ Mr. TomlinsonYes, but I must add that all the local education authorities have not been concerned.