THE RELEASE OF STUDENTS
Sn1,—Students at present serving in the Forces would welcome a Govern- ment statement regarding plans for future releases. Both they and the university and college authorities are finding their difficulties immensely increased by the lack of any concrete information. The matter is one of some urgency. The release of 3,000 students in October, though welcome as an omen, had little material effect upon the situation. There are still many students who have been absent from their studies already, for almost three years: most of them are over twenty-two, have two more years training to complete, and no immediate prospect of return.
iVore is at stake, however, than the future of the students. Schools are still understaffed and have six years of leeway to make up ; the Civil tind Foreign Services are much in need of specialist personnel: the whole fabric of social reconstruction is dependent for its completeness upon an adequate and continuous supply of trained minds over the next five years. In view of this urgency, the limitations of release should be dependent solely upon the accommodation and training facilities of the universities. Colleges and students may not perhaps hope for so much, but the difficulties of both would be greatly lessened by a clear statement of Government plans and policy.—Yours sincerely, E. J. FRENCH,
"Box iii," Bletchley, Bucks.
P. L. BOULTON, A. F. MITCHELL.
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