HC Deb 21 January 1942 vol 377 cc340-1
32. Commander Sir Archibald Southby

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will take steps to institute the issue of overcoats to members of the Sea Cadet Corps; and whether the same privileges, regarding the issue of free kit, are accorded to members of a sea cadet unit as are accorded to members of the Air Training Corps?

The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. A. V. Alexander)

As part of the Government's policy for taking greater responsibility for training the youth of the country from the school leaving age, the Admiralty have arranged to take over the direction of the training and organisation of recognised Sea Cadet Corps, while leaving matters of administration in the hands of the present Central Associations, of which the most extensive is the Navy League. The revised arrangements will cover cadets between the ages of 14 and 17. These will be expected on attaining the age of 15 to give an honourable undertaking, supported by consent of the parents, to join the Navy upon or before attaining the call-up age.

An annual capitation grant of 12s. will be paid to the associations in respect of each cadet between the ages of 14 and 17. Cadets who, on attaining the age of 17 have enrolled under the "Y" Scheme and continue in the Sea Cadet Corps, will also be eligible for the increased grant. Uniform will be provided free for all cadets who come under the scheme. Details are not yet settled, but I hope to make a further statement on this point shortly. Grant and uniform will be subject to certain conditions of attendance at drills, and certification by an Admiralty Inspecting Officer of the efficiency of the unit. It is intended that selected Sea Cadet officers shall receive unpaid commissions in the Special Branch of the R.N.V.R.

Sir A. Southby

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the uniform is to be the same kind of quality as the uniform supplied to the Air Training Corps, and particularly, will the Sea Cadets be given greatcoats; and is he further aware that recently I had the honour to inspect two detachments, one of which, the Air Training Corps, possessed beautiful greatcoats, whereas the other, the Sea Cadets, were shivering without any greatcoats at all?

Mr. Alexander

That is one of the details I am looking into at the moment with regard to which I hope to make a statement shortly.