21. Mr. John Hallasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the problem of educating the children of those serving overseas, especially those who are stationed in countries which, for reasons of climate, are unsuitable for the education of children from the United Kingdom over the age of eight years, is becoming a matter of increasing concern and often of heavy expense to the parents; and, in view of its effect on recruitment to the Colonial Service, what proposals he has to deal with this problem.
§ Mr. HopkinsonMy right hon. Friend is well aware of this problem. Some assistance is already given by a number of Colonial Governments and some of them are at present considering the possibility of increasing the amount of help given. As my hon. Friend is aware, local education authorities have been asked to 365 take special account of the needs of children whose parents are serving overseas.
Mr. HallI welcome my right hon. Friend's statement that facilities are now to be made available, but is he aware that they still do not go far enough? This problem is common to all the three fighting Services. Will my right hon. Friend therefore persuade his right hon. Friend, in co-operating with those Services, to try to find a common solution applying to all the children of those serving overseas?
§ Mr. HopkinsonI can only assure my hon. Friend that Her Majesty's Government are well aware of this problem, and particularly my right hon. Friend, and that we shall certainly do all we can to seek a solution.
§ Mr. J. JohnsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that all, or nearly all, our public servants overseas send their boys and girls to public fee-paying schools in the United Kingdom? Is not this a subsidy to fee-paying education, which is something we do not consider in this country? Will he look carefully at this aspect of the matter before he goes further into it?