§ Sir Michael McNair-WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many schools have been removed from the list of those approved for the education of service personnel on his Department's grant within the last five years; and if he will give reasons for these decisions in each case;
(2) how often officials from his Department visit independent schools where children of service personnel are educated with the assistance of his Department's grants; what criteria are used before including such a school on the approved list; how often further visits are made to ensure the school is providing a proper academic education and the right moral and social guidance; and what store is placed on the result of any of Her Majesty's inspectors reports on such schools;
(3) what steps his Department takes to satisfy itself that a private school is a fit place for the children of service men to be sent under grant; how many schools are on the approved list; and if he will list them.
§ Mr. NeubertBoarding school allowance is payable to service parents who are eligible for all schools which are registered with the Department of Education and which offer a standard of education which is comparable to that obtainable within the state system. In addition, the school authority or local education authority must manage, control and wholly maintain the boarding facilities.
Although the Ministry of Defence maintains an internal record of those boarding schools which parents are currently using, and which satisfy the above criteria, this is not a comprehensive list of approved schools for BSA purposes. All schools which satisfy the basic criteria may qualify for BSA. Schools fail to qualify for BSA purposes only if they no longer meet the criteria or when they close. There is no centrally kept record of the changes in the pattern of usage over the last five years but indications are that these would have been almost entirely as a result of schools closing or ceasing to offer the necessary general education, or, conversely, as a result of the appearance of newly established or expanded schools. The choice of a particular school is a matter for the parents. However, the Service Children's Education Authority will on request assist parents in making their decisions. The SCEA visits many boarding schools on an ad hoc basis in order to be able to advise parents on matters of school facilities and curriculum. In giving such advice SCEA also takes account of any relevant Her Majesty's inspector's reports. 258W Alternatively, service parents like any others are free to consult local education authorities, ISIS or any other appropriate advisory body.