§ 37. Major Petoasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the difficulties experienced by officers commanding cadet forces in obtaining the use of appropriate premises for training purposes; and whether he will investigate all cases submitted to him in which unnecessary difficulties are thrown in the way?
§ Sir E. GriggSubject to the exigencies of the Service, cadets may be allowed to use, free of charge, War Department buildings and drill halls rented or leased by Territorial Army Associations. Similarly premises occupied by the Home Guard may be used by cadets at times which will not interfere with the training of the Home Guard. I am not aware of any unnecessary difficulties having been thrown in the way, but if the hon. and 194 gallant Member has any specific cases in mind, I shall be glad to investigate them.
§ 38. Major Petoasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider including in the grant of uniform to cadets between the ages of 14 and 17 the issue of greatcoats which are given to cadets over 17 but not to those of the age group in question?
§ Sir E. GriggGreatcoats are not given to cadets over 17 unless they belong to the Home Guard, in which case they are given to them as Home Guards and not cadets. The provision of uniform involves the question of supply of material as well as cost, and I cannot in present circumstances give any undertaking to increase the items of uniform authorised for cadets.
§ 44. Mr. Keelingasked the Secretary of State for War how the capitation and uniform grants and training equipment given to military cadet units compare with those given to the Air Training Corps; and whether military cadet officers will, like Air Training Corps' officers, receive the King's commission?
§ Sir E. GriggAs part of the Government policy for taking greater responsibility for training the youth of the country from school-leaving age, the War Office have arranged to increase the size of the Cadet Force, making full use of the advice and the organisation of the British National Cadet Association. The military object of the Cadet Force is to give pre-entry training for the Army, including the Home Guard. At the same time, the Cadet Force, like every other organisation connected with youth, is concerned with the development of the character of its members from the point of view of citizenship as well as of military training. The Cadet Force is to be largely expanded. The following arrangements apply to cadets between the ages of 14 and 17. The annual capitation grant is 13s. 0d. in open units and 11s. 0d. in school units for each qualified cadet, and a further grant of 10s. 0d. is issued for each qualified cadet who obtains certificate "A." In addition, the British National Cadet Association receives a grant of £750 for administration. Battle dress will be provided free. The issue of grants will be subject to the units obtaining a satisfactory report from the War Office inspecting officer 195 and to fulfilment of certain other conditions of attendance at drills and camp.
As regards training equipment, the Cadet Force receive an issue of the manuals and publications necessary for their training; they may borrow weapons for instructional purposes from their affiliated Home Guard unit, and other training equipment is made available so far as Army stocks permit on repayment from Cadet funds. Full particulars of the grants, etc., given to the Air Training Corps have already been announced. The question of granting King's commissions to Cadet Force officers is under consideration.
§ Mr. KeelingCan my hon. and gallant Friend say whether the terms given to Army Cadet Corps are less favourable than those given to the A.T.C.?
§ Sir E. GriggIf my hon. Friend will study the answer, I think he will see that they are not.