HC Deb 17 December 1936 vol 318 cc2649-50W
Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the attitude of the London County Council to applications for the use of school premises by cadet units, he proposes to arrange for alternative facilities to be made available to these bodies for training purposes?

Sir V. WARRENDER

Provision already exists for allowing recognised cadet units to make use of War Department buildings and Territorial Army drill halls in certain cases, but where these facilities do not exist within a reasonable distance of the homes of unit members, 1 am afraid there is nothing my right hon. Friend can do in the matter.

Mr. CROWDER

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the interests of the recruiting campaign, he will make an appeal to the London County Council to reverse their present policy of discouraging the cadet corps movement in the schools under their control, and of forbidding the use of school premises for the training of cadets when such premises are not otherwise in use?

Sir V. WARRENDER

My right hon. Friend has on more than one occasion made a general appeal for the co-operation of all parties and all local authorities in strengthening the national defence services. In view of the attitude of the London County Council in this matter, he does not think a particular appeal of the kind suggested by my hon. Friend would be likely to meet with a satisfactory response.