HC Deb 30 October 1946 vol 428 cc594-5
23. Mr. Sidney Shephard

asked the Secretary of State for Air the present strength of the A.T.C.; and the total number of overcoats issued to units for cadets now serving.

Mr. de Freitas

On 31st July, which is the date of the most recent quarterly return, the strength of the Air Training Corps was about 57,000. I am glad to say that a general issue of greatcoats has now been approved; cadets will get them as soon as possible after the units have sent in particulars of the numbers and sizes they need.

Mr. Shephard

Could the Under-Secretary say whether it is proposed to issue overcoats to each one of the cadets, or is there to be a limited issue?

Mr. de Freitas

We shall not have enough surplus R.A.F. coats and we shall get the number made up by the Army. They will have an A.T.C. flash on their shoulder.

Mr. Shephard

Since the Sea Cadets, of whom there are 33,500, each have an overcoat, why cannot there be some uniformity of treatment for all these pre-Service training units?

Mr. de Freitas

They will each have an overcoat.