§ Mr. de Freitasasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether it is now proposed to make any changes in the conditions governing entry into the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, in the light of experience gained since the college reopened in 1946.
Mr. WardWe do not propose to alter the present arrangements under which candidates for permanent commissions in the Royal Air Force enter the R.A.F. College at the age of 18 after reaching an appropriate educational standard and passing the R.A.F. Selection Board.
But in order to help boys who have the right qualifications for permanent commissions in the R.A.F. to stay at school until they are 18, we propose to introduce early in 1954 a system of R.A.F. scholarships to be held by boys "pre-selected" for Cranwell at the age of 16. Financial assistance will be given to boys who win these scholarships.
Scholarships will be awarded within a maximum of 60 a year, and we hope that the scheme will allow a number of promising boys to enter Cranwell who would otherwise have to leave school earlier for financial reasons.
The parent or guardian of any boy who is a candidate for Cranwell can apply for a R.A.F. scholarship, provided that his or her net income does not exceed £1,500 a 159W year. Candidates for scholarships will be required to pass a medical examination and flying aptitude tests and to appear at Cranwell before a special Selection Board which will include a headmaster. Those selected for scholarships will be assured of entry to Cranwell at the age of 18, provided that they remain medically fit and provided they reach the educational standard normally required to exempt candidates from the written competition.
The scales of financial assistance will be as follow:
Grants
- Net annual income below £700—£50 per annum.
- Net annual income £700-£899–£45 per annum.
- Net annual income £900-£ 1,099–£40 per annum.
- Net annual income £l,100-£1,299–£35 per annum.
- Net annual income £l,300-£1,500–£30 per annum.
School Fees
When boys are attending schools for which fees are required, the parent or guardian will also be reimbursed for tuition fees on the following scale (but subject to a maximum of £100 a year):—
- Net annual income below £700–100 per cent. of actual fees.
- Net annual income £700-£899–90 per cent. of actual fees.
- Net annual income £900-£l099–80 per cent. of actual fees.
- Net annual income £l,100-£1,299–70 per cent. of actual fees.
- Net annual income £1,300-£1,500–60 per cent. of actual fees.
The net income will be calculated to take account of family commitments and liability to Income Tax. The grants themselves will not be subject to Income Tax.
My noble Friend has already had certain discussions with representatives of educational interests throughout the United Kingdom and has been much encouraged by their reception of the scheme.