HC Deb 24 June 1959 vol 607 cc1191-2
53. Dr. King

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many public school boys were interviewed by the last Selection Board for direct entry to Dartmouth; how many of these were admitted; and what are the comparable figures for boys from State secondary schools.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

From independent schools, including nautical schools, 22 were interviewed in April, 1959, and 17 were accepted; from schools partly or wholly supported by the State 10 were interviewed and 4 accepted; this includes one from a secondary modern school, who was interviewed and accepted.

Dr. King

While the whole House will share the delight that a secondary modern school has managed to get a cadet into the Royal Navy, may I call the attention of the Parliamentary Secretary to the figures given by his colleague—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]

Mr. Speaker

Order. I think the interruption was due to the fact that the hon. Member should ask a question and not seek to call attention to something.

Dr. King

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to consider the simple fact that, from an Answer which his colleague the Secretary of State for Air gave me last week, it appears that of the last 38 cadetships awarded in the R.A.F., 19 went to boys from public schools and 19 to boys from ordinary schools? May I ask him what social factor has come into the Royal Navy, as distinct from the Royal Air Force?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

No social factors. We want the best boys of character and intellectual quality, and if anything can be done to encourage them to come forward, we shall be delighted.

Mr. G. Brown

Will the hon. Gentleman add to quality and character a strong accent?

Dame Florence Horsbrugh

Is it not the case that in the first category of boys are included boys from nautical schools, and does not my hon. Friend agree that those who have had their first education in nautical schools generally have the best chance of entering the Royal Navy?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

That certainly helps.