§ 18. Mr. J. E. B. Hillasked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement on the closing of the Women's Royal Army Corps Staff College, and on the future of the Corps.
§ Mr. John HareThe Women's Royal Army Corps Staff College will be closed in August because the numbers now being trained there do not justify maintaining a separate establishment. Staff training for women will continue, but it will now be brought under the direction of the Commandant of the Staff College, Camberley. These new arrangements do not imply any reduction in our need for women officers. The Women's Royal Army Corps will become more important than ever as National Service comes to an end, and we wish to attract as many recruits as we can, both officers and other ranks.
§ Mr. HillCan my right hon. Friend say exactly what this means to women staff officers? Will they have the same training as men, and does my right hon. Friend anticipate much difficulty in getting the numbers he requires by voluntary recruitment for the Women's Royal Army Corps?
§ Mr. HareThe answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question is that they will in fact make use of the training facilities at the Staff College 197 at Camberley, and they will continue to receive a course of training very similar to the one which is now provided at Frimley. On the second part of the supplementary question, all I can say is that the Corps has a proud tradition and a great record of service. There are nearly 50 different trades open to members of the Women's Royal Army Corps, including several technical trades, and I hope that we shall recruit sufficient personnel, because they will be of great value to the Army of the future.