Oral Answers to Questions — Armed Forces – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 2 Gorffennaf 1947.
asked the Minister of Defence (1) whether a sailor, soldier or airman who before joining the Services was subject to an approved school order made by a juvenile court is debarred from attaining commissioned rank, notwithstanding having successfully passed an O.C.T.U. course;
(2) whether boys who have been subject to approved school orders made by juvenile courts are debarred from enlisting in the Royal Navy, the Army and the R.A.F.
The fact that a boy Had been to an approved school, would naturally be taken into account, with other factors, by the recruiting authorities, but such a boy would not necessarily be debarred from entry. Candidates for commissions are considered primarily on the basis of their Service records.
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that very large numbers of these boys in approved schools are not there because they have committed any offence, but because they are in need of care and protection? Is it not unfair that this is not taken into account when a boy tries to get into the Services? Will the right hon. Gentleman cause his reply to be circulated to the selection boards? If I bring a case to his notice, where a boy, having passed O.C.T.U., has been refused a commission because of the fact that he has been honest about his education, will he look into it?
I certainly will, but one must leave the selection boards to examine the whole record of these boys, in exactly the same way as with other boys, and to judge their individual qualities in leadership and character. If there is a case where the hon. and gallant Member considers there is hardship, I will certainly look into it.