HC Deb 03 May 1944 vol 399 c1298
7. Mr. Shephard

asked the Secretary of State for Air if, in view of the fact that many A.T.C. cadets cannot afford to pay the 1s. 9d. per day charged for food whilst attending annual training at an R.A.F. station, he will consider meeting this charge out of public funds.

The Secretary of State for Air (Sir Archibald Sinclair)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Brighton (Lieut.-Colonel Marlowe) on 4th April on this subject.

Mr. Shephard

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, quite apart from the normal training, these boys do hard and useful work as ground staff on many occasions; and in view of that fact would he reconsider this matter?

Sir A. Sinclair

Yes, Sir, my hon. Friend is quite right, hut we are not aware that this small charge is acting as a deterrent.