§ Major Petherickasked the Secretary of State for War why S.M.L.E. rifles are not supplied to cadet corps; and, if these cannot be made available, why after four years of war it is not possible to supply these corps with a small quota each of ordinary service rifles?
§ Sir J. GriggThe regular forces and the Home Guard must, as my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate, be given priority over the Army Cadet Force in the supply of arms and at present it is unfortunately not possible to spare any rifles permanently for the cadets. Each cadet unit is, however, affiliated to a Home Guard unit and this enables cadets to use Home Guard weapons for training. In addition, a considerable number of Sten guns are now being made available for the use of cadets.