§ Mr. SillarsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what organisational or financial links his Department has with cadet forces in private schools in Scotland.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe MOD administers the combined cadet force (CCF) as a voluntary part-time force organised in schools and colleges and part of the national youth movement in the United Kingdom.
Control of the CCF is exercised by the Defence Council through the three service departments which are responsible for the organisation, training and administration of the Royal Navy, Army and RAF sections of the CCF respectively. The MOD consults with representatives from the headmasters' associations and the CCF via the Defence Schools and Universities Policy Committee, the Inter-Services Cadet Committee and the Combined Cadet Force Association.
The MOD provides grants to CCF contingents to cover general administration, training and travel costs.
There are 14 CCF contingents in independent schools in Scotland, with a total strength of 2,600 cadets.