HC Deb 16 December 1953 vol 522 cc384-5
64. Dr. King

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what action he proposes to take in connection with the recommendations of his Working Party's Report on Cadet Entry into Dartmouth; and whether he will submit his proposed alterations to the House for approval

Mr. J. P. L. Thomas

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I made on 25th November, 1953, to my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead (Mr. H. Brooke).

Dr. King

May I thank the Minister for the action he has taken so far and the spirit behind it and ask whether he is aware that the Montagu Report shows the same predominance in the 18-plus entry of public school boys? Will he study the Cranwell scheme of his righthon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air before drafting the proposals which he will make for 18-plus entries?

Mr. Thomas

I am grateful to the hon. Member for calling my attention to that point. He may possibly be asking whether or not I propose to take the same steps as the Secretary of State for Air is taking to help boys of 16 to carry on at school until 18. That is one of the main points I am taking into consideration, having come to this new decision about Dartmouth about which I told the House the other day.

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