HC Deb 22 February 1999 vol 326 cc1-2
1. Ms Rosie Winterton (Doncaster, Central)

What financial provision he has made for training Territorial Army cadets in Doncaster. [70491]

The Minister for the Armed Forces (Mr. Doug Henderson)

As I have announced, we are fully committed to the cadet forces in this country and have made extra resources available to them.

The cadet detachments in Doncaster will continue to have six adult instructors and an officer devoted to their training. In addition, we plan to construct a new indoor rifle range for the cadets at Danum road.

Ms Winterton

My hon. Friend will be aware that the local Territorial Army squadron, the King's Own Yorkshire Yeomanry, has welcomed the announcements about the continuation at Danum road of the cadet force, and I am sure that it will welcome today's announcement. However, is he aware of the concern that the Danum road centre may be open for perhaps only two evenings a week and the occasional weekend? Is he considering making the centre available for other youth training activities, to maximise the investment in it?

Mr. Henderson

We intend to ask the local Territorial, Auxiliary and Volunteer Reserve Associations to make resources available to other youth organisations where appropriate and where that can help to add to the facilities provided for young people in Doncaster. We also welcome the support in Doncaster for the improvements to the cadet facilities.

Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith (Wealden)

Is the Minister aware of the increasing difficulty in providing the necessary facilities for cadets with so many TA camps and training grounds closing?

Mr. Henderson

The right hon. Gentleman will recognise that there must be changes. Most cadet units meet not in TA centres but in schools and other places, and that will continue unchanged. The vast majority of cadet units that meet in TA centres will continue to meet where they have met traditionally. Those forced into changes because of the general changes to the estate of the TA will receive facilities that are at least as good as those they have at present and, in some cases, the facilities will be improved.

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