HC Deb 07 July 1947 vol 439 cc202-3W
106. Sir J. Mellor

asked the Minister of Education why he has advised school governors, through local education authorities, that they have no power to grant leave of absence during term to masters or boys for attendance at camps conducted by the A.T.C. or other pre-Service training organisations; and whether, in view of the recent promise of Government support for such organisations, he will revoke any regulations which restrict the discretion of governors in this respect.

Mr. Tomlinson

While I am anxious that schools should assist pre-Service organisations by offering them accommodation and other reasonable facilities for their training, I am afraid I could not regard attendance at camps conducted for the purpose during term time as a justifi- able encroachment on the school curriculum. I am advised that the cadet forces do in fact try to avoid sending cadets of school units to camp during the school term.