§ Mr. Traceyasked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the children of armed forces personnel, whose education in independent boarding schools in the United Kingdom is financed by his Department come from officer families; what proportion come from the ranks; and if he will compare these figures with five years ago.
§ Mr. StanleyPrecise figures are not available, but it is estimated that some 75 per cent. of the children of armed forces personnel who were being educated at independent boarding schools in the United Kingdom in the school year 1982–83 and in receipt of boarding school allowance came from officer families and 25 per cent. from families in the ranks. The respective percentages are estimated to be 80 per cent. and 20 per cent. five years ago.