asked the Secretary, of State for War if he will state, for each of the war years, how many Service men and women began, under his Department's auspices, courses of study with correspondence colleges; how many completed such courses; and how many were successful in passing an examination at the conclusion of a course.

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can my hon. Friend say now if there is any noticeable difference between the number of courses started and those completed, and, if so, whether that difference is due to any other reason than the obvious exigencies of the Service?

When my hon. Friend reads the reply he will see that I have not been able to furnish him with the figures of the courses completed, but in very general terms I would say that they are no more remarkable than those found in civilian life in any other correspondence: course.

Following is the reply:

The War Office correspondence course scheme provides courses for the personnel of all three Services. Total enrolments for all types of courses under this scheme from its inception late in 1940 to 30th June, 1947, have been as follow:

Owing to the frequent movements of personnel during and since the war, and the very large numbers involved, it has not been practicable to maintain records of the numbers of completed courses or of the numbers who have passed examinations at the conclusion of such courses.