Ashridge College (Courses)

Oral Answers to Questions — British Army – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 23 Chwefror 1954.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr Stephen Swingler Mr Stephen Swingler , Newcastle-under-Lyme 12:00, 23 Chwefror 1954

asked the Secretary of State for War on how many occasions the Army has used the facilities of Ashridge (Bonar Law Memorial) College in the last five years; for what purposes; and what were the payments involved.

Photo of Mr Anthony Head Mr Anthony Head , Carshalton

Army students attended 111 courses and some £4,400 has been paid to the college. The courses were in the main concerned with resettlement and general topics of educational interest and value.

Photo of Mr Stephen Swingler Mr Stephen Swingler , Newcastle-under-Lyme

Is the Secretary of State aware—I have no doubt he is—that the governing body of this college is nominated by the Conservative Party? May we therefore have an assurance that similar facilities are being used at colleges belonging to the Labour Party? If not, may we know why there is this political discrimination?

Photo of Mr Anthony Head Mr Anthony Head , Carshalton

There is no political discrimination in relation to this college. The best proof of that is that in 1950 the right hon. Member for Dundee, West (Mr. Strachey) sent 420 students to the college and last year I sent 192.