§ Major Symondsasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the need for more officers, he will take steps to reduce the delay, which may be anything up to 12 weeks, between the date a soldier finishes pre-O.C.T.U. training, and the date he is posted to an O.C.T.U.
§ Mr. LawsonPostings must fit in with the training organisations at each O.C.T.U., but itis generally possible to post cadets within four weeks of completing their pre-O.C.T.U. training. Delays beyond four weeks are quite exceptional in ordinary circumstances. At the moment, however, the O.C.T.Us. are being re-organised and extra delay has been unavoidable in some cases.
§ Major Beamishasked the Secretary of State for War how many O.C.T.Us., with what capacity, existed in January, 1945; how many men were under training; and what is the present position.
§ Mr. LawsonThere were 14 military O.C.T.Us. in the United Kingdom on 31st January, 1945, with training capacity for 7, 690 cadets; 3, 612 cadets were under training. On 31st October, 1945, there were 12 O.C.T.Us., with training capacity for 6, 906 cadets, and 2, 204 cadets were under training. O.C.T.Us. have also been used to train allied cadets and to retain officers transferred to different arms. In addition, 845 cadets were under training in India in January, 1945, and 953 on 30th September, 1945, the latest date for which 2049W figures are available. The O.C.T.Us, in the United Kingdom are at present being reorganised, and their capacity very considerably reduced.