HC Deb 22 May 1973 vol 857 cc208-9
19. Mr. Sproat

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many commission courses for members of the TAVR it is proposed to hold at Sandhurst in the second half of 1973.

Mr. Maker

None, Sir—but five courses will have been held in the first half of the year.

Mr. Sproat

Does my hon. Friend agree that this is not a satisfactory situation? Does he further agree that this provision is inadequate for the number of officer cadets that we have, still less for the number we ought to be anticipating? Will he look again into means of reducing the delays between the passing of the selection board and the actual courses?

Mr. Blaker

I hope I can reassure my hon. Friend. We are taking steps to increase the number of vacancies from 160 to 200 for the courses to be held in the first half of next year. We are also examining means of fitting in at least one TAVR commission course during the autumn each year from 1975 onwards.

Mr. Wiggin

How many probationary officers are waiting for places on these courses? Are they having to delay getting their full commissions because of this lack of space on the courses?

Mr. Blaker

There is currently a delay of between six and nine months, but we expect that the changes I have just described will meet the demand.