Pobjoy,
You are right. I am only a CI at my local squadron (although ex-RAF pilot due to the ATC and gliding in my youth!!). I now reside in Oxfordshire (West) and, of course, have a very senior minister as my MP! I will be writing to him and attending his next "surgery" (an appropriate term!) in order to bring up this whole sorry subject. Result - who knows? Just maybe it might help as I see the Cadets losing interest! What a waste!!