§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Secretary of State for War what percentage of units at home and abroad respectively, are fully operating the Army Educational Scheme set out in Army Instructions 236 and 244, 1945, and whether he will take care that the increased speed of release shall not deprive men and women in lower age and service groups of the educational facilities provided by that scheme including the maintenance of unit libraries and trained instructors.
§ Mr. LawsonFull and accurate figures are not yet available, but a recent preliminary survey showed that the percentage of units operating the scheme varied between 10 and 70 per cent. in the different Commands at home and overseas. There is necessarily considerable variation at present, as implementation of the scheme depends on local military commitments and type of unit, and the scheme is still in its infancy. Evidence already available shows that a good start has been made and that the scheme is rapidly growing. If a unit is prevented by pressure of military duties from operating the scheme at once it cannot make special provision for those of its members in early release groups. In other cases, however, preference is given as far as possible to such men.