§ 39. Mr. Benn Levyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he can give any indication as to the working of the scheme of financial assistance for special entry cadets introduced last year.
Mr. DugdaleYes, Sir. Since the scheme was introduced last September grants varying from £10 to £150 have been made to the parents of 58 cadets entered through the Special Entry Group of examinations. The parents of these boys form an interesting cross section of the community ranging from gas stoker, colliery overman and bench engineer to cost accountant, mercantile marine officer and schoolmaster. There is no doubt that it would have been impossible for a great many of these boys to enter the Royal Navy as officers without this financial assistance. I think the House will agree that the scheme has achieved its object of broadening the field of entry and made it possible for any boy who reaches the required standard to become a Special Entry Cadet regardless of the financial circumstances of his parents.