HC Deb 21 April 1953 vol 514 cc801-2
31. Mr. Ian Harvey

asked the Secretary of State for War to give an indication of the type of newspapers and periodicals used to carry the advertising for the entry of boys into Welbeck College.

Mr. Head

The vacancies for Welbeck College were advertised in five national papers, "The Times," the "Daily Herald," the "Daily Mirror," the "News-Chronicle" and the "Daily Telegraph"; three schoolmasters' papers; four magazines; and 17 provincial papers covering, in particular, Scotland and the North of England.

Mr. Carmichael

Not the "Daily Worker"?

Mr. Harvey

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his answer completely contradicts the allegation made from the other side of the House during the Army Estimates debate, that the wrong papers were used for the purposes of this advertising?

Mr. Head

I think it is not in agreement with the remarks that were made.

Mr. Chetwynd

Is the right hon Gentleman satisfied with the publicity given to this arrangement in the North of England, in view of the fact that only two or three candidates were selected from that part of the country?

Mr. Head

As far as Scotland is concerned, I am not entirely satisfied—

Mr. Ross

Scotland is not the North of England.

Mr. Head

But Scotland is concerned in this. The results from the North of England have not been altogether disappointing.

Mr. Malcolm MacPherson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that no matter how effective the advertising, he will not get the applicants unless the conditions of application are sufficiently attractive to potential applicants and their parents? Does he recall that he answered four Questions to me a short time ago about minor matters connected with the process of application, and that to three of these his answer amounted to saying, "We do it this way, not because it suits the convenience of the applicant, but because it suits our convenience at the War Office"?

Mr. Head

Oh, no. I assure the hon. Member that that is not so. It is our object to get as many Scottish applicants as possible, and if the hon. Member can help in that I shall be very pleased.