§ 45. Major Beamishasked the Minister of Education what instructions she has issued to local education authorities with regard to giving every possible help and encouragement to the Army Cadet Force; and whether she is aware that the Durham County education authority refused recently to grant leave of absence to boys asked to form part of a guard of honour to Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery.
§ Miss HorsbrughI have not myself made any announcement on this matter, but my predecessor joined with the then Minister of Defence in expressing the hope that local education authorities would give what assistance they could to cadet units, and I stand by this policy. I have seen reports of the action taken by the Durham County Council.
§ Major BeamishIs my right hon. Friend aware that boys who give up a lot of their spare time to try to become proficient members of the Army Cadet Force are, naturally, bitterly disappointed 404 when a stick-in-the-mud Socialist authority stops them from doing so? Will she try to impress upon local authorities the great importance of encouraging rather than discouraging boys who want to join the Army Cadet Force?
§ Miss HorsbrughI am glad to have the opportunity of answering this Question, and I have stated my policy, and pointed out that it is the same policy that was stated by my predecessor.
§ Miss HorsbrughYes, Sir.