HC Deb 28 January 1997 vol 289 cc203-6W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the cost of(a) the combined cadet force in schools, (b) the sea cadet force, (c) the army cadet force and (d) the air training corps, in each of the last 10 years at current prices; how many children served in each of these forces in each of the last 10 years; what plans he has to increase the numbers serving in each of the forces; and what discussions he has had with representatives from the cadet forces about future changes to the cadet scheme. [13159]

Mr. Soames

The cost of the cadet forces to the Ministry of Defence for the last 10 years is as follows. The figures are in millions of pounds at current prices;

  1. (a) Combined cadet force in schools
    • 1986–87: n/a
    • 1987–88: n/a
    • 1988–89: n/a
    • 1989–90: n/a
    • 1990–91: n/a
    • 1991–92: n/a
    • 1992–93: n/a
    • 1993–94: 6.1
    • 1994–95: 6.6
    • 1995–96: 6.2
  2. (b) Sea cadet corps
    • 1986–87: n/a
    • 1987–88: n/a
    • 1988–89: n/a
    • 1989–90: n/a
    • 1990–91: 4.7
    • 1991–92: 5.4
    • 1992–93: 5.6
    • 1993–94: 5.3
    • 1994–95: 5.6
    • 1995–96: 5.7
  3. (c) Army cadet force
    • 1986–87: n/a
    • 1987–88: n/a
    • 1988–89: n/a
    • 1989–90: n/a
    • 1990–91: n/a
    • 1991–92: n/a
    • 1992–93: n/a
    • 1993–94: 20.9
    • 1994–95: 22.2
    • 1995–96: 23.4
  4. (d) Air training corps
    • 1986–87: n/a
    • 1987–88: n/a
    • 1988–89: n/a
    • 1989–90: n/a
    • 1990–91: n/a
    • 1991–92: 17.4
    • 1992–93: 17.8
    • 1993–94: 18.8
    • 1994–95: 19.2
    • 1995–96: 20.3

The number of young people in the cadet forces at the end of the last 10 financial years is as follows:

  • Combined cadet force
    • 1986–98: 42,318
    • 1987–88: 42,737
    • 1988–89: 41,796
    • 1989–90: 40,945
    • 1990–91: 39,825
    • 1991–92: 39,809
    • 1992–93: 39,565
    • 1993–94: 39,131
    • 1994–95: 39,061
    • 1995–96: 39,732
  • Sea cadet corps
    • 1986–87: 16,663
    • 1987–88: 16,335
    • 1988–89: 15,943
    • 1989–90: 16,014
    • 1990–91: 16,036
    • 1991–92: 16,368
    • 1992–93: 16,464
    • 1993–94: 16,233
    • 1994–95: 15,531
    • 1995–96: 15,697
  • Army cadet force
    • 1986–87: 43,617
    • 1987–88: 41,555
    • 1988–89: 39,209
    • 1989–90: 39,559
    • 1990–91: 39,423
    • 1991–92: 39,356
    • 1992–93: 39,975
    • 1993–94: 40,486
    • 1994–95: 39,778
    • 1995–96: 40,171
  • Air training corps
    • 1986–87: n/a
    • 1987–88: 38,363
    • 1988–89: 37,577
    • 1989–90: 35,285
    • 1990–91: 34,201
    • 1991–92: 35,020
    • 1992–93: 35,381
    • 1993–94: 35,474
    • 1994–95: 35,343
    • 1995–96: 34,528

Air Training Corps costs

During the preparation of this reply, it became clear that the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Stoke on Trent, North (Ms Walley) on 14 May 1996, Official Report, column 400 and to the hon. Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans) on 27 November 1996 Official Report, column 237 were misleading. Both sets of figures provided relate to the cost of the Air Cadet Organisation, and therefore include the cost of the Air Training Corps plus the RAF element of the Combined Cadet Force. The relevant figures for the cost of the ATC, at in-year prices, should have been:

  • 1991–92: £15.1 million
  • 1992–93: £16.1 million
  • 1993–94: £17.6 million
  • 1994–95: £18.3 million
  • 1995–96: £19.8 million

The Government wish strongly to encourage wider voluntary participation in all the cadet organisations. We are considering ways of increasing the scope of the cadet forces so as to allow even more young people the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of membership. Discussions with representatives of the cadet forces will take place as soon as it is appropriate.