§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked whether the War Office are now taking over the educational work in the Army hitherto carried on by the Young Men's Christian Association; whether this work has been paid for by the Young Men's Christian Association funds; and how much money has been expended on educational work in the Army by the Young Men's Christian Association before the War Office authorities took over the work?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe War Office is taking over, as from the end of April, that section of the organisation of educational classes in the Army which has hitherto been conducted, at the invitation of the military authorities, by the Young Men's Christian Association on the lines of communication in France. The educational classes in the Army areas in France have always been conducted by the military authorities, as also in Great Britain, Ireland, and the theatres of war other than France, but in these latter considerable assistance has been given unofficially by the Young Men's Christian Association. The new arrangement in France has been rendered advisable by the change of conditions consequent upon demobilisation and the formation of the Array of Occupation, and has been fully discussed with, and received the entire approval of, the representative authorities of the Young Men's Christian Association, both in England and in France. It does not affect the canteen or recreational work of the Young Men's Christian Association or the arrangements at present in force for the allocation and supply of lecturers. The Young Men's Christian Association has paid out of its own funds for the educational work which 645W it has conducted in the Army. I am informed that the total figure expended by the Young Men's Christian Association on such work, as up to the end of April, is estimated at £117,900, of which £96,150 has been expended on the lines of communication in France.