§ 78. Mr. Rentonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many former sea cadets have, on being called upon since 1st January, 1947, for National Service, been compelled to serve in the Army instead of being allowed to serve in the Navy; and whether he will give an assurance that members of the cadet forces will in future be allowed to enter the service in which they have obtained reasonable proficiency as cadets.
§ Mr. J. DugdaleI regret that the figures asked for in the first part of the Question are not available. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence on 2nd July last. So far as the Navy is concerned, the number of National Service men who express a preference for naval service compared with the number who can be entered, does not permit the acceptance of all those with sea cadet service.