§ 14. Mr. M. Stewartasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will release Bandsman Leverton from the remainder of his Army service so that he may take up in September the place which he has obtained at King Alfred's Teacher Training College, Winchester.
§ Mr. RamsdenYes, Sir. I am considering whether I can remit any part of the purchase price which he will have to pay. I will let the hon. Gentleman know about this as soon as I can.
§ Mr. StewartWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is a desperate shortage of teachers, and that it would not be reasonable to keep this man for a few more months in the Army, and, as a result, cause him to enter the teaching profession a year later, if indeed he entered it at all?
§ Mr. RamsdenYes, Sir. I think that, as the hon. Gentleman recognised in a letter which he wrote to me recently, the point now is what he can reasonably be expected to pay for his discharge, and this is under examination by the Command at the present time.