§ 43. Mr. Colegateasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether he will consider allowing those boys who join the Sea Cadet Corps, the Army Cadet Force or the Air Training Corps, to count their three years' service from 15 to 18 towards shortening by six months their period of National Service.
§ Mr. ColegateWill the Minister make an inquiry to confirm whether it is true that these boys who have done this service are indeed far superior to those who have had no previous experience before being called up for National Service?
§ Mr. BirchThe whole point of the cadet scheme is to have young men who are keen and efficient in the Services.
§ Mr. ColegateIn that case would not the Minister consider giving them some slight advantage in their period of National Service in order to encourage them to do their three years' service with a cadet force?
§ Mr. BirchI do not think that would be in the national interest. The advantages which these young men get is that they automatically become officer and N.C.O. material. They get an advantage both in the services and in their cadet days, and it seems to me that it would be wrong to encourage people to go into a cadet force on the basis that as a result they would not have to do their full period of National Service. That would break down the universality of the National Service scheme and would be unlikely to attract the best recruits.
§ Captain RyderWould my hon. Friend look at this again? Would it not indeed encourage more young men to join the Services through Regular engagements?