§ 33. Mr. John Tilneyasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a large number of schoolboy cadets are prevented from attending annual camp through the inability of their parents to pay for boots; and whether he will now consider making one free issue of boots to members of cadet forces during their period of service.
§ Mr. StracheyI am afraid that it is not possible to make a free issue of boots to cadets.
§ Mr. TilneyIs the Secretary of State aware of the importance of encouraging recruiting to the cadet forces of this country, and that the lack of a free issue is detrimental to their training?
§ Mr. StracheyWe should no doubt like to make all sorts of further expenditure on the cadet forces, but we have to limit ourselves in this as in other matters.
§ 39. Mr. Gammansasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the inconvenience being caused to Boys' Brigades and other similar cadet corps by the inability of the Aldershot Command to lend them camp equipment as they have done in previous years; if he realises that it is only in the last few weeks, when no other arrangements could be made, that this decision has been conveyed to them; and what steps he will take to assist them.
§ Mr. StracheyI appreciate the difficulties of these organisations. A redistribution of stocks of camp equipment in 2086 Southern Command is being effected, which it is hoped will permit substantial help to be given to the organisations concerned.
§ Mr. GammansWould the right hon. Gentleman explain why, only five years after the end of the war, it is apparently difficult to get enough equipment for these camps? What has happened to the immense war stores? If we cannot fulfil a demand like this, what would occur if we had to mobilise?
§ Mr. StracheyIt is largely a financial question, and I think that the hon. Gentleman will find that we can meet legitimate demands.