§ 6. Captain CROOKSHANKasked the Secretary of State for War on what date he received a deputation regarding the abolition of grants to cadet corps, and who composed the deputation?
§ Mr. SHAWI received a deputation on 13th March from the National Union of Teachers, which consisted of my hon. Friend the Member for Aberavon (Mr. Cove) and Messrs. Humphrey and Hoare.
§ Captain CROOKSHANKWere any of the members of this Association in any way connected with schools which had cadet battalions attached to them?
§ Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMSIs not the real force in this matter the Minister of Education?
§ Mr. SHAWIn ordinary courtesy I receive deputations from representative bodies on matters connected with War Office business.
§ Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLEWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether this deputation was representative of the whole of the National Union of Teachers?
§ 7. Mr. OSWALD LEWISasked the Secretary of State for War whether when considering if War Office assistance should be withdrawn from cadet corps, he took any steps to ascertain the views of the head masters of secondary schools; and, if so, by whom such views were put before him?
§ 13. Captain PETER MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for War whether he consulted any educational body other than the National Union of Teachers before deciding to withdraw the grant for cadets; and, if not, whether he will ascertain the opinion of masters engaged in the secondary schools on the subject of cadet training?
§ Mr. SHAWThe answer is in the negative. Had I received requests from any other representative bodies to receive a deputation I should have met them.
§ Mr. LEWISMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman how he expects an association to ask him to consult them about a matter concerning which they know nothing?
§ Mr. SHAWI have answered the hon. Member's question. I did not expect anybody to consult me on matters on which they know nothing. I have simply answered the question.
Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLSeeing that there is a diversity of opinion regarding the course taken, will the right hon. Gentleman withhold his decision until he has been consulted by all those interested in this movement?
§ Rear-Admiral BEAMISHHow can the right hon. Gentleman reconcile his attitude to this movement with wearing a sword with his Court dress?
10 HOWARD-BURYasked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether cadet corps will in future be able to obtain the loan of Government stores, such as blankets and kitchen utensils for camp, or whether such existing facilities are to be taken away;
(2) whether, seeing that the grants to cadet corps are to be discontinued in the future, he will allow these bodies to be officially recognised by the War Office and by the Territorial Army Association;
(3) whether cadets will in future be allowed to use Government ground if available for camping or for exercise?
§ Mr. SHAWAs I have already indicated, official recognition, with the grants and privileges which accompanied it, will be withdrawn from these units. In order, however, not to interfere with arrangements already entered into, the decision will take effect from 31st October next, but the full grants for the cadet year under the usual conditions will be paid in respect of the year 1930.
§ Colonel H0WARD-BURY; With regard to the first question, will the right hon. Gentleman say whether blankets and other perishable stores will be allowed to rot rather than that use should be made of them? With regard to the last question, even if you cannot give recog- 1930 nition, cannot you allow them to use Government ground when it is not wanted for other purposes?
§ Mr. SHAWThere is no intention of allowing Government stores to rot. The connection between this corps and the Territorial side of the Army must finish at the end of the current year.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question with regard to Government ground?
§ Mr. SHAWI answered the question quite definitely—at the end of this year the connection must cease—all connection must cease.