HC Deb 17 July 1946 vol 425 c1192
2. Mr. Gammans

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when long service Regulars in the Royal Marines will again be able to buy their discharge.

Mr. Alexander

Manning difficulties in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines necessitate that such discharges for the present can only be approved in very exceptional cases. I am unable to give any date by which a further concession will be practicable, but the matter will be reviewed next spring.

Mr. Gammans

Does the First Lord realise that, if he wants to encourage recruitment for the Regular Royal Navy, the restoration of this right would do an awful lot to help?

Mr. Alexander

I think I sympathise with the hon. Member, but he will realise my difficulties, too. I am under contract to let out the "hostilities only" people, and, after all, these other people are under Regular engagement.