§ Mr. Nieldasked the Secretary of State for Air, what aid is given by his Department to the R.A.F. Cadet movement; whether stores and equipment left from the recent war are made use of to this end; and if he is satisfied that all possible steps are being taken to encourage the success of this movement.
§ Mr. de FreitasI can assure the hon. Member that we are doing all we can to encourage the Air Training Corps and foster its efficiency. The cost of training quarters, training equipment and uniforms for the A.T.C. is met by my Department and grants are made to meet the cost of training. The approved scale of equipment for the Corps is provided from R.A.F. stocks, and in addition, Reserve Command which controls the Air Training Corps, selects at Equipment Disposal Depots stores and equipment that would be useful for the training of cadets and is not needed for Royal Air Force purposes, or for sale. Facilities are also provided for senior cadets to acquire air experience by carrying out flights as passengers in R.A.F. aircraft. Gliding schools have been established to give elementary gliding training for the more experienced cadets, and, as I mentioned in the Debate on Air Estimates, a number of German gliders is being obtained to supplement the equipment in these Schools. In addition, summer camps are arranged for all units of the Corps.