HC Deb 28 April 1955 vol 540 cc1050-1
16. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Education what progress has been made in the efforts to improve educational facilities for Service men's children.

The Minister of Education (Sir David Eccles)

I cannot, at present, add anything to what my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary said in last Tuesday's debate on the Estimates.

Mr. Dodds

As that still is very disappointing information, will the Minister say when he hopes information can be given which will serve to encourage more men to take up Regular engagements in the Armed Services?

Sir D. Eccles

I think that this is a very important matter, but it concerns a large number of Departments and they have not all come to agreement.

Dr. King

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that men and women who serve their country ought not to have to sacrifice the education of their children? Is not this matter important enough for a committee to be set up to consider the whole question?

Sir D. Eccles

I entirely agree with the hon. Member, but I had hoped we should be able to find a shorter cut to the solution, and I still think we shall.

Mr. J. T. Price

When giving further consideration to this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman give close study to the special arrangements already made for the education of children of officials engaged in the Foreign Service, which are dealt with exhaustively in the Report of the Select Committee? He might find some very useful information in that Report.

Sir D. Eccles

That is one of the examples which we are taking into consideration.