HL Deb 07 May 1947 vol 147 cc392-4

2.46 p.m.

VISCOUNT BRIDGEMAN

My Lords, I beg to ask the question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

[The question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government (1) what steps are being taken to bring the financial treatment of officers of the Army Cadet Force into line with those of other pre-Service organizations, and (2) whether the rate of capitation grant to County Cadet Committees has yet been fixed.]

LORD AMMON

My Lords, I rise to reply on behalf of my noble friend Lord Nathan, who is unfortunately unable to be present to-day owing to slight indisposition. I assume that the first part of the noble Viscount's question refers to the grant of pay to officers of the Army Cadet Force when attending camp or courses of instruction. This has now been accepted in principle, and the detailed conditions are being examined with a view to an early announcement. In reply to the second part of the question, the current year's capitation grant for central county administration of Cadets has been fixed at 7s.

VISCOUNT BRIDGEMAN

I thank the noble Lord for his reply, but arising out of the answer I should like to raise two further points. First, is the noble Lord aware that this matter of the treatment of Army Cadet Force officers has been going on for nearly two years, since the Home Guard stood down, and that as a result, very great dissatisfaction and inconvenience have been caused to the Army Cadet Force and to the officers? Might I therefore ask the noble Lord for an assurance that the investigations will be completed, and an announcement made, in plenty of time before the annual camps at the end of July of this year? Secondly, arising out of the second part of the noble Lord's answer, I should like to thank him for mentioning the figure, but also to ask whether he can give an undertaking that that figure of 7s. will be re-examined during the current year in the light of the annual costs of Cadet administration which, as the noble Lord knows, are continually rising?

LORD AMMON

I will certainly call my right honourable friend's attention to the points that have been raised, and I hope that early attention will be given to them.

THE MARQUESS or LONDONDERRY

Arising out of the noble Viscount's question, and the answer of the noble Lord thereto, can the noble Lord tell us whether the same conditions apply, or will apply, to the A.T.C.?

LORD AMMON

I think I should require notice of that question.