HC Deb 17 April 1946 vol 421 cc455-6W
92. Commander Pursey

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the total accommodation for boys at the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook; the number borne at present; and what further period of time is likely to elapse before the school is fully occupied, observing that the war with Germany ceased 10 months ago. and that there are a large number of orphans and other eligible candidates who should already have been admitted.

Mr. Duģdale

The school was originally designed for 860 boys; the number borne on the 1st April, 1946, was 516. The numbers which will he borne in future will depend on the number of suitable applicants, and the accommodation available.

93. Commander Pursey

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the dates of the examinations and interviews for the next entry of boys into the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook; and what instructions have been issued to ensure taking a higher number of suitable applicants than in recent entries, in particular from among the orphans of men who lost their lives while serving their country in the R.N. and Mercantile Marine, for which boys the school was instituted.

Mr. Duģdale

The dates are 27th to 30th April. Since the existing instructions are that boys should be capable in due course of reaching the standard for entry into the Royal Navy, or in compassionate cases of taking advantage of the education provided by the school, no further instructions have been issued. Apart from other publicity, however, the Ministry of Pensions has been asked to draw special attention to the facilities afforded by the School when sending out pension forms.

94. Commander Pursey

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the decision taken to reduce the unnecessary high standards of entry into the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, he will state how many parents and guardians of boys previously rejected, but now eligible, have been written to, with a view to these boys being given another chance at the next entry.

Mr. Duģdale

I regret that, as a record has not been kept, I am unable to say how many parents and guardians of boys previously rejected have been invited to apply with a view to their being given another chance of entry, but the number of parents or guardians who have so applied is 22. A record of the number in vited will be kept in future.