HC Deb 02 July 1947 vol 439 cc1321-6
Mr. Alexander

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, I should like to make the following statement:

His Majesty's Government have had under review the objects and future position of the Cadet Forces of the Navy, Army and Air Force. They are convinced that these Forces have an important part to play not only in providing pre-Service training, but also in citizenship training. Training in a Cadet Corps, besides grounding a youth in Service traditions and elementary military knowledge is designed to develop qualities of self-discipline and of leadership. This training not only increases the youth's chances of advancement in regular or reserve service but is a very real asset to him, and therefore, to the country, no matter what career he follows. The introduction of national service as a normal peacetime measure does not in any way detract from the importance of pre-Service training. On the contrary, the task of the Services in making the best use of the national Service men will be greatly eased if among the men presenting themselves there is a significant proportion who, as a result of previous training in a cadet unit, have developed qualities of leadership and acquired a grasp of the elementary principles which would improve their opportunities for advancement and their chances of selection for commissioned rank, either during their period of whole-time service or later in the non-Regular forces. The Government, accordingly, would like to see a substantial increase in the numbers of boys entering the Cadet Forces of the three Services, and I should like to urge the parents of boys, who are not members of any other youth organisation, to encourage them to join a Service cadet unit of their choice. Service in a Cadet Corps is not only interesting in itself, it is also in a very special sense service to the nation. The opportunity is now being taken to remove anomalies at present existing, through which one Cadet Corps may have suffered from some handicaps or administrative difficulties which have been met or overcome in other Cadet Corps. For example, His Majesty's Government intend to extend to all cadets the services of free transport to annual camps, assistance where necessary over transport difficulties, and payment of officers while in full-time employment at courses or during camps. Other services are under examination.

There is also in preparation a scheme for a new combined Cadet Force in schools which retain boys over the age of 17, to combine the existing Sea Cadet Corps, Junior Training Corps, Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps school units. This scheme should simplify the administration of the various cadet units in schools. It will provide a common basis of training in the early stages and enable cadets to specialise later in the subjects of one of the three Services. I am glad to take this opportunity of acknowledging the assistance received by the Service Departments from the headmasters' representatives in working out the details of the new scheme. The well-being of the Cadet movement depends not merely on financial support from the Government, and on technical assistance from the Services. It depends upon the fine qualities of character and enthusiasm of the cadets themselves. It depends upon those other members of the community who have worked hard for many years on its behalf. There are the individuals who give voluntary service as officers and supporters. There are the members and staffs of the local authorities who have done so much to foster this work and the work of other youth organisations. I shall be communicating with these authorities about the lines on which further development may best be encouraged. I should like on this occasion to express the thanks of His Majesty's Government to all who have given time and thought and service to the Cadet movement in the past and to assure them that whatever they may feel able to do in the future on its behalf will be a real contribution to the wellbeing of the nation.

Mr. Eden

While I hope that the House will welcome the right hon. Gentleman's statement, in particular his tribute to those who have given most unselfish service to the Cadet Forces—service which has not always been received with friendliness in the past—may I ask these questions? First, can the right hon. Gentleman tell us a little more about the new scheme for the combined Cadet Force in schools? Can he say when he hopes it will come into operation? Further, could not the right hon. Gentleman make it plain to the cadets that by this service they are not only fulfilling a national patriotic obligation, but are also doing a service to themselves which should stand them in good stead when they come to fulfil their military service?

Mr. Alexander

The combined Cadet Force scheme is almost ready for approval. It only remains, among other things, to get final Treasury approval. I think it should be put into operation shortly. We feel that from the point of view of the school authorities, and saving administrative trouble, certainly up to the stage of taking Certificate A, training could be largely merged. I hope it will prove satisfactory. I can give, absolutely, the assurance which the right hon. Gentleman opposite would like me to give to those who intend to join the Cadet Forces. I speak from memory, but I believe that in the Army, during the war, about 5 per cent. had come through a Cadet Force. That 5 per cent, provided 50 per cent. of the commissions of a wartime category, which I think is a great tribute to those concerned. I believe that a large percentage of those from the A.T.C. also obtained commissions in the Air Force, and I know of similar cases in respect, of the Sea Cadets. I hope that assurance will be made widely known

Mr. Shurmer

Will the right hon. Gentleman promise some encouragement to the boys who enter a particular cadet service that when they reach their calling up age they will be able to go into the Service of their choice? I have in mind the Sea Cadets. I happen to belong to a committee of Sea Cadets where the boys pass their seamanship examinations, and, having served for three or four years, they are then pushed into the Army. What encouragement will these boys have to go into the particular cadet service for which they have been trained?

Mr. Alexander

That is being arranged. Everything possible is being done to allocate a boy to the Service of his choice and the one in which he has taken the trouble to be a cadet. Unfortunately, from time to time, the exigencies of the Services and the numbers required do not always make that possible. I will, however, do everything I can to meet the wishes of the House in this respect.

Mr. Eden

Will the right hon. Gentleman give further consideration to that point? The number of cadets is relatively so small that it seems hard that a complete assurance cannot be given that when boys have given service to a Cadet Force they should continue to serve in whatever branch of the Service they have given their preliminary service.

Sir Ralph Glyn

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the administration of the cadets is to remain in the hands of the Territorial Associations under their new title? How will they be able to provide for Sea Cadets in such areas as are not at present concerned with them? At present, they join the auxiliary associations connected with the Army and Air Force, but the Navy side is left out. Will circulars be sent round to explain the position?

Mr. Alexander

The hon. Baronet knows the position in the Territorial Associations in the case of the Army and Air Force. I think that the House generally knows that a great deal of responsibility for instituting and maintaining the Sea Cadets is laid on the Navy League, and they not only do a great deal of local administrative work, but also raise funds to provide accommodation and the like. I cannot, at the moment, say that the Sea Cadets would be included in the Territorial Associations, but the matter has been under consideration.

Mr. Ivor Owen Thomas

Does the Minister's reply mean that cadets will be drawn exclusively from the secondary schools, and, if so, will he consider whether arrangements can be made so that lads from the elementary schools, who have to leave school because of their circumstances, will have that right extended to them?

Mr. Alexander

The age of entry into the Service cadet forces is 15. The school unit, as such, will practically all be confined to the secondary type of school, but I have always received considerable help from headmasters and staffs, and local authorities with regard to encouraging boys to join an open cadet unit as distinct from the school cadet unit, and I hope that they will continue to do so.

Mr. Spence

Will the right hon. Gentleman go even further and guarantee to a cadet the particular unit for which he is trained? Can he in the case of a cadet who has trained for a specialised branch in that unit give an assurance that he will, if possible, get the job for which he is trained? I think that would give great encouragement to cadets.

Mr. Alexander

I will make these views of the House widely known among the authorities who make the selection. We will try to meet the views of the House as far as possible, but I do not want to give a blank-cheque promise of something which it may not be possible to carry out.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Will the right hon. Gentleman take special steps to ensure, and to bring to the notice of potential recruits for cadet forces, the particular advantages that may accrue to them if they reach a certain standard of proficiency before they are called up under the National Service Act?

Mr. Alexander

Yes, Sir, certainly.

Sir W. Wakefield

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to inform parents and others of the great advantages of cadet training, not only as a preparation for the immediate Service life, but for industry afterwards, because cadets trained in the cadet service benefit greatly from that training in industry, and will he make that clear to the parents and to the public?

Mr. Alexander

We have intended to enlist the help of the Press especially in getting these points over to the general public and to parents. I am also writing directly myself to all local authorities. We will certainly bear this matter in mind.

Mr. Skeffington-Lodge

Many of the cadet units at present have no suitable local headquarters, and will my right hon. Friend take into consideration the question of the provision of huts or buildings for this purpose for them?

Commander Noble

Arising out of a previous reply of the Minister, does he now imply that these units will now be independent of voluntary contributions financially, and also will the Service Ministries be responsible for finding headquarters for these units?

Mr. Alexander

I would not like to rule out voluntary contributions, as much of the success of the whole of the cadet forces depends on voluntary effort. In reply to the hon. Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeffington-Lodge) with regard to accommodation, we are having difficulties because so many premises used during the war under requisition have had to be given up, and particularly so in some local authority areas where there are special housing difficulties. I am in communication with the local authorities.

Mr. Keeling

Will the Minister give an assurance that the Government will not permit any obstruction to the work of these cadet forces on the part of local authorities, such as there was in London before the war?

Mr. Alexander

I have just spoken about the attitude of the Government upon the whole question, and I do not think that I can add to that.

Mr. Blackburn

Did I hear the Minister refer to military conscription as a normal peacetime measure, and, if so, will he withdraw those words which completely conflict with the assurances given to this House that this is a very abnormal measure, which will be brought to an end as soon as circumstances permit?

Mr. Alexander

I do not think that that arises out of my statement.

Sir R. Ross

Can the Minister say if this statement applies in all respects throughout the whole of the United Kingdom?

Mr. Alexander

Yes, Sir.