§ Mr. HUDSONasked the Secretary of State for War what amount of grants are paid by the Board for the maintenance of officers' training corps in public schools; what qualifications schools must show to be able to earn such grants; whether schools must show any percentage of pupils who ultimately pass into the Army; and whether the grants from Government have been accompanied by an increase in the number of officers' training corps in the public schools?
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§ Mr. WALSHI assume that the Board referred to by the hon. Member is the Army Council. The amount payable in grants to the junior division of the officers' training corps for the current financial year will be about £30,000. A grant of £1 6s. 8d. per cadet over 15 years of age (or over 16 in the case of State-aided schools) is paid from public funds. In order to qualify for the grant a cadet must be returned as efficient for the year, and no school can earn its full grant unless 50 per cent. of the efficient cadets attend the annual training in camp. In addition to the capitation grant, a grant, of £1 is given for each cadet who obtains certificate "A." No percentage is laid down regarding the number of ex-pupils who must join the Regular Army. The number of school contingents in the officers' training corps at its inception was 120 and is now 165. A grant from public funds has been payable since the formation of the corps.