§ 46. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Defence if he has arranged for boys who do well in the Combined Cadet Force to be given some credit for this service when they enter the Forces, particularly in the matter of promotion to commissioned rank.
§ Mr. AlexanderIt is the policy of the Services to advance ex-cadets as rapidly as is justified by the extra knowledge of Service subjects and added capacity for leadership derived from cadet training. Promotion to commissioned rank must go by merit, but there is no doubt that, other things being equal, an ex-cadet should enjoy better prospects than other entrants.
§ Mr. HurdWill the Minister take steps to make that policy well known in the schools and elsewhere?
§ Mr. AlexanderIt has been made known again and again, both by public statement and by information in the schools.
§ Mr. LipsonDoes the answer mean that when these ex-cadets join one of the Forces a record is made of the fact that he had previously been attached to a cadet unit?
§ Mr. AlexanderEvery recruit to the Services is interviewed separately and questions are asked about what he has been doing in this respect.