HC Deb 26 February 1946 vol 419 cc361-3W
Mr. Skeffington

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has recently reviewed the work of the education facilities in the Army; and if he is satisfied that all is being done to use beneficially the greater leisure time now existing in most branches of the Service.

Mr. Lawson

I am satisfied generally that the Army Education Scheme is being operated very satisfactorily in spite of difficulties arising from the rapid rate of releases and replacement of staffs and instructors. In units in which the scheme can be fully operated not less than six hours a week are allotted to education from normal training or working hours. Because of their operational and other commitments "there are still a number of units which have not yet been able to implement the scheme, but the majority of units in the Army are operating it either wholly or partially.

In addition to education in units there are classes and courses organised by formations, and each major Command has a formation college which provides residential courses of a month's duration for a large number of students. A. wide range of correspondence courses is also available for those unable to get direct class instruction in subjects they wish to study.

Major Lloyd

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of staff at present employed in A.B.C.A.; and what is the estimated cost to the Exchequer at the present time.

Mr. Lawson

The Army Bureau of Current Affairs was merged with the Directorate of Army Education on 1st February, 1946. Eleven military (including A.T.S.) officers, three civilian officers, and 11 clerks of the Directorate of Army Education are employed on duties connected with the production and distribution, where necessary, of teaching aids, including A.B.C.A. materials, Forces Educational Broadcasts, gramophone records, exhibitions, educational films and film strips. The approximate cost of the emoluments of the staff employed on this work would be£14,000 in a full financial year.

Captain C. Smith

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement on the progress of education in the B.A.O.R.

Mr. Lawson

The Army Education Scheme in B.A.O.R. is based on unit schools, with schools at brigade, divisional and corps headquarters to supply instruction in subjects which units cannot provide for—chiefly basic Education, for men who need it, trade refresher courses for skilled tradesmen who are out of practice, and pre-vocational training. The trade refresher courses are provided in 23 trades schools. Unit instructors are trained at a regimental instructors' training school at Ghent in courses of three weeks duration, which cater for 300 students per course. This is supplemented by short courses at divisional schools.

A formation college at Gottingen provides advanced residential courses in a wide range of subjects for 900 students a month. There are in B.A.O.R. 30 Forces Study Centres, mainly in large towns where many troops are stationed. These cultural centres are organised by the A.E.C. and provide libraries, vocational information, voluntary evening classes, handicrafts, literary and debating societies, music circles, etc. Also such bodies as Too H., the Y.M.C.A., and the W.V.S. provide similar activities on their own premises, in close liaison with the A.E.C.

Special educational provision is made for hospitals when this is possible, A.E.C. instructors being attached to 18 hospitals in the theatre. One thousand eight hundred and eighty-one candidates are sitting for the Forces Preliminary examination which is being held this month. This examination has been established to meet the needs of men and women who wish to prepare themselves for subsquent entry to a University or one of the professions.

Though there have been difficulties about equipment, the supply of books is reasonably good in spite of the world shortage. Rooks unobtainable in English bookshops can be borrowed from the Libraries issued to nearly all units of 500 men and over which are implementing the Scheme.

A.T.S. are included in the Scheme wherever possible, but, as most of them are employed in Signals or as clerks, it is not always practicable to give them the full six hours' education per week in working time. Domestic Science centres are being opened throughout the theatre. Vacancies are allotted to A.T.S. at the Formation College at Gottingen which includes a Domestic Science Wing.