§ 18. Sir William Waylandasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has, as promised in 1941, been able to review the financial arrangements affecting the A.T.C.; and whether he can now promise that travel concessions will be given to cadets attending parades from the more distant areas of their headquarters in order to increase recruiting?
§ Sir A. SinclairThe review was completed early last year, and led to increased provision for collective travelling. The conclusion was reached, however, that the policy should be maintained under which expenses incurred by cadets in travelling between their homes and their place of duty are not refunded. This is in line with the practice of the Sea Cadet Corps and the Army Cadet Force.
§ 19. Captain Gammansasked the Secretary of State for Air how many cadets from the A.T.C. have passed into the R.A.F. and the Royal Navy since the inception of the scheme?
§ Sir A. SinclairDuring the period from the formation of the Air Training Corps to the end of September, 1943, approximately 72,000 cadets attested for service with the Royal Air Force. Some 55,000 of these have taken up duty. During the same period about 13,000 cadets left the Corps to join the Royal Navy, including the Fleet Air Arm and also the Merchant Service.
§ Captain GammansIn view of those excellent figures, can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that the A.T.C. will be continued after the war?
§ Sir A. SinclairIt would not be proper for me to give such an assurance, but I hope it will be.