§ 18 and 19. Sir R. Russellasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he is aware that there is no room for a parade ground at the new headquarters of No. 78 (Wembley) Squadron, Air Training Corps in Harrow Road, Wembley; and what steps he is taking to rectify this;
§ (2) when it is proposed to remove the derelict buildings on Harrow Road next to the headquarters of No. 78 (Wembley) Squadron of the Air Training Corps,
§ Mr. ReynoldsAir Training Corps squadrons do not have an entitlement to the provision of parade grounds at public expense. This squadron occupies a small part of a surplus Territorial Army centre. The remainder of the centre, including the derelict buildings, is being disposed of. Demolition of these buildings will be a matter for the next owners.
§ Sir R. RussellWould the right hon. Gentleman agree that some small amount of drill is necessary for any Air Training Corps unit? How does he think this unit will obtain the drill?
§ Mr. ReynoldsA few A.T.C. units, where there is space which has had to be tarmacadamed to stop it getting derelict, have small parade grounds. But there never has been, and I cannot see any justification for making it, an entitlement for Air Training Corps units to be given parade grounds.