HC Deb 05 March 1996 vol 273 cc144-5
10. Mr. Patrick Thompson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of membership of the Army Cadet Force on the future job prospects of young people. [16847]

Mr. Soames

The membership of the Army Cadet Force helps to develop self-confidence, initiative and other highly useful skills through such recognised qualifications as the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme and the BTEC certificate of achievement. Clearly, such activities can be of great benefit to the young only when they are looking for a job in later life.

Mr. Thompson

Will my hon. Friend pay a fulsome tribute to the men and women who lead and instruct the young people in our cadet forces? Bearing in mind the fact that investment in the cadet forces and the volunteer reserves is a very good way of spending money, will he have talks with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment about ways of involving more people in the cadet forces and their activities as a way of doing down the drop-out culture?

Hon. Members

Hear, hear."

Mr. Soames

As my hon. Friend can see, the cadet forces are very popular. There are about 130,000 cadets, and the Ministry of Defence has an annual budget of about £55 million to run them. I wholly endorse all the points that my hon. Friend has made. It is clear that the cadet forces offer an outstanding start and provide interest, excitement, character development and adventure. They fulfil an extremely important role in the community. I am pleased to tell my hon. Friend that we shall indeed have discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary, who attaches high importance to working with the cadet forces, to see what more we can do so that the cadet forces continue to be a beacon in the communities in which they exist.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

Does the silly ban on homosexuals in the services extend as far as the Army Cadet Force? Should not Ministers take a lead in this matter on principle and not be swayed by a vox pop of service men?

Mr. Soames

On this occasion, almost uniquely, the hon. Gentleman is completely off beam. The decision that my right hon. Friend announced yesterday was to do with the fighting power of the armed forces. The fact that our forces have high morale, are extremely efficient and effective, and have great cohesion—

Mr. Campbell-Savours

Prejudice.

Mr. Soames

No, it is not prejudice. Anything that could undermine that cohesion—it is plain that homosexuality would do so—is not something that any responsible Government could allow.