§ Mr. John Hallasked the Secretary of State for War what help he gives to men and women serving in the Army who wish to obtain professional qualifications; and what proposals he has for increasing such help.
§ Mr. SoamesIt is one of the functions of the Royal Army Educational Corps to help students seeking professional qualifications. In some cases, direct tuition can be given; in others, the student may enrol in the Forces Correspondence Course Scheme, which covers40W over 600 subjects. About 15,000 men and women in the Army are now studying by correspondence. For subjects not covered by the Scheme, a student may take an independent course and the Army will contribute towards his expenses. Tuition fees at evening classes in this country, with travelling costs, may be paid from Army funds.
Arrangements are made for military candidates at home and abroad to sit for the examinations of professional bodies and help is given in paying fees. In 1958, about 1,000 serving soldiers took the examinations of over 30 professional bodies.
For the future, we shall continue with these extensive facilities and try to add to the number of professional bodies who already accept certain military training and qualifications as giving exemption from their own examinations. In particular, we hope to correlate some Army trade tests with the examination requirements of civil organisations.