HC Deb 01 June 1949 vol 465 cc2113-4
46. Mr. Symonds

asked the Minister of Defence if he will arrange for each service to make the same proportionate contribution towards the fares of its cadets travelling to annual camp.

Mr. Alexander

I am advised that, subject to certain distance limitations, the full cost of cadets travel from their units to annual camp is found from Service Votes for all the Cadet Forces. But if my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind where this rule has not applied I shall be glad to look into it.

Mr. Symonds

Is it reasonable when the Air Ministry pay the whole of the fares of the Air Force Cadets no matter what the distance, that the War Office should only pay the fares for 100 miles?

Mr. Alexander

I think that what the Air Force do is to pay the fares to a certain camp, if the camp has been fixed, and they allow other contributions if the cadets go to a camp which is further away.

Earl Winterton

Will the right hon. Gentleman look sympathetically into this whole question because of the feeling in some Cadet Forces that they are less well-treated than other Cadet Forces?

Mr. Alexander

I will certainly ask each of my Service colleagues to look into the matter and discuss it together. It fact, we are fairly generous and cover the whole of the expenses up to 100 miles.