24. Mr. DavidWatkins asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to provide a Youth Service for British Service personnel and their dependants in Germany.
§ Mr. BoydenA Youth Service to cater for the needs of British Service families in Germany is now being established.
A Chief Youth Service Officer and three assistants are now being appointed. They will organise activities similar to those provided in Britain by local education authorities.
Every encouragement will be given to voluntary youth organisations and to the training of part-time youth leaders as well as to the directly sponsored youth clubs.
Mr. WatkinsThis is very welcome news. Can my hon. Friend give an assurance that the facilities will be sufficiently widespread as to be available for all young people, Servicemen and their dependants, at bases throughout Germany?
§ Mr. BoydenThat is what we are aiming to do.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamHave the voluntary organisations which form the C.V.W.W. and are at present working in Germany with the troops, been asked to co-operate by assisting with personnel and "know-how" in this new service?
§ Mr. BoydenI should want notice of that supplementary question, but they were certainly consulted in the early days when a review was made of the whole situation. I will write to the hon. Gentleman in detail.