§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the number of Air Training Corps units which admit girls and list those located in Scotland.
§ Mr. StanleyThe number of Air Training Corps squadrons authorised to admit girls is 171.
The list of Air Training Corps units which admit girls in Scotland is as follows:
Squadron Detached Flight Location ATC Wing 38F Perth Dundee 102 Dyce Aberdeen 107 Aberdeen Aberdeen 137 Prestwick Glasgow 470 Falkirk Edinburgh 498 Wishaw Glasgow 867 Denny Edinburgh 867 Bonnybridge Edinburgh 869 Penicuik Edinburgh 875 Westhill Aberdeen 1001 Coatbridge Glasgow 1019 Stirling Edinburgh 1019 Alloa Edinburgh 1019 Dunblane Edinburgh 1068 Nairn Highland 1141 Edinburgh (6th) Edinburgh 1145 Dunfermline Dundee 1153 Dumfries (2nd) Edinburgh 1153 Lockerbie Edinburgh 1232 Dundee Dundee 1333 Grangemouth Edinburgh 1716 Roxburgh Edinburgh 1716 Selkirk Edinburgh 1716 Kelso Edinburgh 1716 Galashiels Edinburgh 1716 Duns Edinburgh 1739 Midlothian (2nd) Edinburgh 2166 Hamilton Glasgow 2255 Gordonstoun School Highland 2311 Glenrothes Dundee 2311 Leslie Dundee 2526 Lossiemouth Highland
§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the number of complaints he has received about girls unable to obtain a place in an Air Training Corps unit.
§ Mr. StanleySince August 1980 there have been 11 letters from right hon. and hon. Members on this subject, and a further 15 complaints in respect of some 34 girls have been received directly from the public.
§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will outline the guidance given by his Department to Air Training Corps units on the admission of girls.
§ Mr. StanleyGuidelines agreed by the Air Cadet Council and issued to Air Training Corps units by headquarters air cadets covered the following points:
- a. Squadron premises must have the capacity to accept up to 15 or 33⅓ per cent. of enrolled cadets as girl members and be able to set aside adequate separate toilet facilities for female use.
372 - b. An adult female supervisor is to be available "on call" during lectures, and so on but must be present when more strenuous activities, where injury might require first aid care, are undertaken by girl cadets.
- c. The number of female adult staff appointed is not to exceed 50 per cent. of the unit establishment.
§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the amount of money and other resources his Department provides towards the operation of Air Training Corps units (a) within the United Kingdom and (b) within Scotland.
§ Mr. StanleyThe total cost to the defence budget of all the services provided for the Air Training Corps in the current year is £13.5 million. I regret that data are riot available by regions.
§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Defence if, within the resources available, girls have an equal opportunity of joining an Air Training Corps unit.
§ Mr. StanleyGirls have been in the ATC, including the trial period, for three years. There are difficulties over finding the extra resources needed for additional accommodation and female supervision. Consequently, girl membership of individual Air Training Corps squadrons is restricted to 15 or 33⅓ per cent. of enrolled cadet strength whichever is the greater. Squadrons authorised to take girls amount to 171 out of a total of 920, and, as resources allow, more squadrons will be authorised to admit girls.