§ 15. Mr. Wilkinsonasked the Minister of State for Defence whether, in view of the Government's commitment to enhance the status of military service in the national life, as set out in Command Paper No. 4521, paragraph 35, he will now announce plans to establish an inter-Service Defence Academy at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich.
§ Lord BalnielAt the present time I have no plans to revive this project.
§ Mr. WilkinsonIs my noble Friend aware that only £20 million out of a total Defence budget of about £2,200 million goes on Service colleges, and that to create an inter-Service cadet college at Greenwich would put the profession of arms back in the public eye, which is one of the Government's intentions, when seeking to improve recruiting?
§ Lord BalnielI agree with the last part of my hon. Friend's comments. We are most anxious to enhance the status of the Forces in the eyes of the country. But my hon. Friend will know that since 1968, when the original proposal was abandoned, all three Services have redeveloped their plans for the further education of young officers and the university cadet entry scheme has been enlarged. As a result, the number of vacancies for young officers at universities has been increased.