§ Sir H. Williamsasked the Minister of Education whether her attention has been drawn to the high level of illiteracy amongst National Service men; and if she will undertake an inquiry into the causes of the failure of the elementary schools to teach the children.
§ Miss HorsbrughThe hon. Member will no doubt have noted the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War yesterday.
I do not consider that the existence of 0.7 per cent. of illiteracy among National Service men calls for a special inquiry, especially as there is evidence of significant improvement between 1948 and 1952 among school pupils of 15.