Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton and Scott Mann

Monday 30th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Scott Mann (North Cornwall) (Con)]

2. What support his Department gives to Sea Cadets.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mark Lancaster)]

The Government and the Royal Navy recognise the benefits of supporting the Sea Cadets and provide support through a grant in aid payment. This is paid to the Marine Society & Sea Cadets through a memorandum of understanding, which also sets out further support with regard to the provision of personnel, accommodation and training.

[Scott Mann]

I recently had the pleasure of meeting the Padstow Sea Cadets and their chairman, and fantastic work is done there. The chairman expressed concerns to me about some of their fixed costs, such as some of their utilities, insurance premiums, transport costs and tuition fees. Will the Minister look at this again, and see if he could make a contribution to the fixed costs of the service?

[Mark Lancaster]

The grant in aid payment to the Marine Society & Sea Cadets is currently £10 million. The MOU between the Royal Navy and the MSSC, which is currently under review, will ensure that there continues to be Royal Navy support for the Sea Cadets. I would be more than happy to ensure that discussions on property issues will continue.