HL Deb 31 October 2000 vol 618 cc88-9WA

Earl Attlee asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which government department funds the Officer Training Corps. [HL4274]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

The Ministry of Defence funds the Officer Training Corps.

Earl Attlee asked Her Majesty's Government:

What difficulties the Ministry of Defence has experienced in promoting the Officers' Training Corps at this year's Freshers' Fair at Queen's University Belfast. [HL4275]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

As the number of applications for promotional stands at the Freshers' Fair at Queen's University last month exceeded the space available, I understand that the organisers decided to give priority to organisations that subscribed at that time to the Students Union. Although the University Officers Training Corps was not therefore given space in the Freshers' Fair Hall, a recruiting stand was erected in the vicinity and members of the UOTC distributed advertising leaflets. I am pleased to report that the number of applicants for the UOTC has exceeded the number of vacancies available.