HC Deb 27 November 1945 vol 416 cc1242-3W
Captain R. Adams

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is satisfied that post-armistice education in the Army is now proceeding satisfactorily in accordance with the scheme originally prepared.

Mr. Lawson

Yes, Sir. For more details, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave to a Question by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for North Aberdeen (Mr. Hector Hughes) on 20th November.

Mr. Ewart

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Army education service officers and instructors in each theatre there are compared to the number of troops participating in the Army education service; and if he is aware that these men's time is only occupied on an average of 40 minutes per day on actual service duty.

Mr. Lawson

I could not give the figures asked for without a disproportionate amount of correspondence. The war establishment of the A.E.C. is based on approximately one officer per 2,000 troops and one other rank per 1,000 troops, in addition to those required for certain special units, but the establishment is not up to strength. The work of the A.E.C. is chiefly supervisory, advisory, and administrative. Instructors for units are found from unit personnel, each unit having a unit education officer and full-time unit instructors appropriate to its strength. I am not aware that any members of he A.E.C. are under-employed. If my hon. Friend will let me have any instances of this. I will have them investigated.

Mr. Willis

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the differing rates of pay for the first two months between those soldiers transferred to the A.E.C. as sergeants, who had previously been teachers, and those who had not; and in view of the fact that both perform the same duties will he take steps to adjust this anomaly.

Mr. Lawson

The distinction between teachers and others has now been abolished. All men transferred to the Corps in the rank of sergeant are subject to two months' probation, during which a somewhat lower rate of pay is issuable, provided this does not result in a reduction of the substantive pay of the man transferred.