HC Deb 29 June 1955 vol 543 cc392-4
38. Mr. Ian Harvey

asked the Minister of Defence what arrangements have now been made, in conjunction with the Minister of Education, to improve the facilities provided for the education of children of serving members of Her Majesty's Forces, both at home and overseas.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

The facilities for primary education provided by local educational authorities in the United Kingdom are available to Service parents. I understand that the education provided by Service primary schools overseas is generally regarded as satisfactory but a definite improvement has recently been effected in the ratio of teachers to pupils at Service schools abroad. The problem of facilities for secondary education for Service children is one which my Service colleagues and I are closely studying with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education.

Mr. Harvey

May I ask my right hon. and learned Friend whether it will be possible to reach a conclusion in this matter, which has been under consideration for a considerable time and is causing grave concern to all members of the forces and to those who take an interest in them?

Mr. Lloyd

I am aware that this is an important matter which is causing serious concern. I am also aware that it has been under consideration for a long time.

I can assure my hon. Friend that I will do everything I can to see that a conclusion is reached.

Mr. Ede

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind that this causes anxiety particularly among the wives of Service men, and that unless he can keep the wives contented he is not likely to have contented Armed Forces?

Mr. Lloyd

I entirely agree with the right hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Alport

May I ask my right hon. and learned Friend whether, in considering this problem, he will bear in mind the fact that a large number of Army families have to undertake additional expense in order to send their children to boarding schools, which would not normally be the case were they not serving in the forces? Could that be considered in connection with any allowance that is made?

Mr. Lloyd

I agree with my hon. Friend that it is a very relevant factor.

Mr. M. Stewart

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman remember that some time ago the Minister of Education was asked whether he would introduce legislation to deal with this matter and that he said he hoped there would be found a quicker method of dealing with it than by legislation? Is it not rather distressing, therefore, to find that still nothing seems to come out of this consideration?

Mr. Lloyd

I think the hon. Gentleman will know that there are certain difficulties involved. These have been the reason for the delay.