LORD O'HAGANMy Lords, I desire to ask His Majesty's Government when it is proposed to issue the revised Regulations governing the Territorial Cadet Force. I should like very briefly to explain the considerations which led me to put down this Question. As chairman of the recruiting committee of the County of Essex Territorial Association I have been brought into very close contact with the cadet movement throughout the county. The Force at present is regulated by War Office letters issued from time to time, and I am informed that these are not, in many cases, available for issue broadcast, and also that this method of administration by letter leads to a lack of co-ordination. For example, I understand that several counties have issued what amounts to their own regulations for their own counties, and I think my noble friend (Viscount Peel) will agree that that is not a very desirable, state, of things, though apparently it is inevitable under present conditions.
In my own county of Essex we are most anxious to re-organise and extend the cadet movement in every way in our power, and we hope very shortly to do so. There are one or two concrete difficulties in the way. The fact of the new Regulations not being issued makes certain matters not as clear as they should be; for instance, the mutual responsibilities between the Association and divisions with regard to the administration of cadets, and also of inspections. In mentioning that I should like to say that enormous encouragement has been given to the Cadet Force by General Woolcombe's inspection this year of all the cadets of the country. It has been brought to my notice that, owing to the manner in which the inspections were 1099 arranged for, there is something to be said for their being organised, in the first place, through the Associations instead of as they are at present. No doubt that is dealt with in the revised Regulations, or will be when they are issued. There is some uncertainty also with regard to the holding of camps.
Another matter has been brought to my notice in regard to officers of the Cadet Force. It would be an advantage if we could clear up the question of their status, and also if it were known what their qualifications should be, and what should be the limit of age— all matters of detail which we hope that the new Regulations, for which we are waiting, will make quite clear. Those interested in the cadet-movement on the county associations concerned have welcomed the increased attention which the War Office has paid to the movement. The increased provision of funds, inadequate though it was, still has been a source of immense encouragement. While, as members of the Association we recognise the great value to individual cadets of cadet training, and also the valuable asset it is to the country that so many young boys should go through this training, there is another point to which our attention is naturally drawn. We look upon these cadets as a potential source of recruits for the Territorial Force and, therefore, it is not helpful, to put it no higher, that we should not have before us the Regulations on which, and under which, we ought to work. I hope, therefore, that my noble friend will be able to give me an assurance of the speedy issue of the Regulations for the Territorial Cadet Force. I ask the Question from a desire that what I believe is the intention of His Majesty's Government on the subject— namely, to make this Cadet Force a great reality and a more valuable asset than it can be under present conditions— shall be carried out.
§ VISCOUNT PEELMy Lords, I am well aware of the interest which my noble friend Lord O'Hagan takes in the Cadet Force and the extent to which he has assisted it in the county of Essex. He has raised one or two points in connection with inspection and administration; that is to say, the responsibility as between the Association and the Divisions. If he will inform me a little more in detail what those particular difficulties are I shall be very glad to get the information in regard to them.
1100 As he knows, a great deal has been done during the last few months in the way of assisting the Cadet Force. I am sorry that he still persists in his view that 6s is an inadequate grant per head. The force is being largely trained by means of games and competitions, and shields for this purpose have been given by His Majesty the King, the Prince of Wales, and various public bodies. Then, besides the 6s. per head to which I have alluded, a cheap rate of travelling to and from camp has been authorised. Drill pattern arms are issued free and camp equipment is issued on loan. Clothing and stores are issued, if possible, at reduced rates where it can. be done without expense to the public. 0.22 miniature rifles are also issued on loan and ammunition is supplied at special rates. Candidates can now sit to obtain certificate A, O.T.C., for the Army entrance examination and obtain the allowance of marks available to O.T.C. candidates. All these facilities I have mentioned are now in operation, pending the issue of the new Regulations.
The Regulations are dated 1914 and have been rather patched up periodically. No doubt it is high time that a fresh set should be issued. It is hoped, I understand, that will be done very shortly, probably in August, and I hope the conundrums which have vexed the soul of the noble-Lord may be found to be solved by the new Regulations. If my noble friend has any further difficulties I shall be very-glad if he will let me know, and I will see that they are dealt with.
LORD O'HAGANMy Lords, I am very grateful to the noble Viscount for the answer he has given to my Question. I should, however, like to have some further information in regard to the issue of clothing, which is a most important question in relation to the Cadet Force. As regards the 6s., in the south of my own county of Essex we have to deal with a large population in what is practically London-over-the-border. Such training as is given by the Cadet Force and other organisations is most necessary, and can be most valuable. Want of funds for uniforms is one of the greatest handicaps we have to bear, and, though I do not wish to pursue the subject, that is an illustration of why I have ventured again to put the point to the noble Viscount. As I say, I am very much obliged to him for what he has said and I am sure everybody will be 1101 glad to hear that the revised Regulations arc to be issued in August.
§ THE EARL OF DARTMOUTHMy Lords, I should like to say a word about what has fallen from the noble Viscount. The quarterly meeting of the Council of the Territorial Association was held yesterday, and this was one of the questions considered. It was strongly felt that many things were necessary, but having regard to the tendency in the country generally to wave the anti-waste banner, I do not imagine that we shall send forward any definite suggestion. The Council strongly expressed the view that a good deal more ought to be done for the Cadet Force than is being done at present. It is generally admitted that the 6s. is inadequate, but what has fallen from the noble Viscount about clothing will, I think, be very satisfactory. I do not suppose it goes so far as the provision of a complete uniform. That was one of the suggestions made yesterday. The point as to the cost of rationing in camp was also raised and the desire was expressed that rations should be supplied for cadets when in camp. I understand that arrangements have been made for the cheaper transit of cadets to camp. I gather from what the noble Viscount has said that a good deal has been done, and it is hoped that more will be done later on. I refer to these questions only because they were raised at our council meeting yesterday and there was a rather strong expression of opinion that something more should be done for the Cadet Force.
§ VISCOUNT PEELDoes the noble Earl mean free rations, or rations on repayment?
§ THE EARL OF DARTMOUTHI take it that the hope is that the rations would be free.
§ VISCOUNT PEELIn addition to the 6s.?
§ THE EARL OF DARTMOUTHYes. May I say that everything is in addition.