HC Deb 30 June 1948 vol 452 cc2177-8
1. Sir Patrick Hannon

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the measures contemplated and in process for the maintenance and expansion of the Sea Cadet movement; the facilities available for the supply of uniforms and equipment to officers and cadets; and if financial support will be provided for suitable premises as headquarters for instruction and training of cadets.

The Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty (Mr. John Dugdale)

As the answer is necessarily long, I will, with permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Sir P. Hannon

Are we to understand from that sympathetic reply, for which I thank the hon. Gentleman, that we are to have something really helpful and consistently maintained in the way of concessions for officers' uniforms and equipment of headquarters?

Mr. Dugdale

The attitude of the Admiralty in this respect will be consistently helpful, as it always is.

Commander Noble

Will the Minister do everything he can to ensure that Sea Cadets, when they are called up, go into the Royal Navy?

Mr. Dugdale

That is another question.

Mr. Shurmer

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is little encouragement for these boys to join the Sea Cadet Corps which is the only cadet corps where boys are not allowed to go into the Service for which they have trained?

Mr. Dugdale

I cannot possibly allow that to pass. They are allowed to go into it, but there are not always enough vacancies.

Mr. Shurmer

Never.

Following is the statement:

The Sea Cadet movement is organised in two ways. Open Units are controlled through the Sea Cadet Council which includes representatives both of the Admiralty and of the Navy League, the latter body having accepted responsibility for the welfare and social activities of the Corps. Units are allowed a considerable amount of independence of action in their local administration and by virtue of its constitution, the maintenance and expansion of the Corps must to a great extent, rest largely on the efforts of Unit Officers and Committees, who give their services voluntarily and have accepted their responsibilities with enthusiasm. Annual grants are made from Navy Votes amounting to 17s. 6d. for each qualified cadet, together with grants for each cadet reaching a specified standard of proficiency. The Admiralty also supply equipment for training purposes including boats where practicable.

The Closed or School Units are administered direct by the Admiralty and similarly receive grants for training, equipment and boats. It is expected that many of these units will be absorbed in the Combined Cadet Force, the formation of which was announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence on the 9th June. It is also hoped that this scheme will result in the formation of additional naval sections.

Cadet uniforms are provided free and grants are made towards the cost of officers' uniforms. Units Headquarters are used both for instructional and social purposes, and the provision of headquarters is the responsibility of the Unit with aid from the Navy League when required. In view of present-day difficulties, however, the Admiralty has allocated a number of huts and surplus craft for use as temporary headquarters for those Units who have been unable to obtain suitable accommodation.