HC Deb 12 December 1977 vol 941 c106W
Mr. Churchill

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in view of the desirability on social grounds at a time of extremely high unemployment of maintaining the Army youth teams, especially on account of the opportunities which they provide to youngsters from deprived backgrounds in the inner city areas, he will explore the possibilities of the Manpower Services Commission taking on the financial responsibility for these youth teams.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

No. The main purpose behind the decision to disband the Army youth teams is to enable manpower to be transferred to areas of higher military priority, and the transfer of financial responsibility for the teams to another Department, even were it possible, would not enable us to accomplish this.