HC Deb 01 February 1951 vol 483 cc143-4W
Mr. McKibbin

asked the Secretary of State for War whether cadets who are bona fide residents of Northern Ireland and who pass out of the Army Cadet Force in Northern Ireland and have obtained Certificate A (Parts I and II) or Certificate A (Part I) combined with Certificate T, are placed in a special squad, as National Service men who possess these certificates are, and watched with a view to being trained for commissions if they join the Regular Army.

Mr. Strachey

In the case of both National Service men and volunteers for the Regular Army, recruits are placed in a special squad, with a view to being trained for a commission, only if they are considered to be potential officers. Possession of Certificate A, Parts I and II, or Certificate A, Part I, combined with Certificate T, though an important factor which is taken into consideration in the initial selection procedure, does not constitute the sole qualification for selection as a potential officer. This applies to men who join the Regular Army from Northern Ireland equally with others.