§ 2. Mr. Stanley Prescottasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the form of attestation used for the re-enlistment of men on short-service engagement of three years is misleading, in that it implies that a soldier may buy his discharge within the first three months of his service; and if he will take steps to introduce a new form of attestation.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for War (Mr. John Freeman)I do not consider that the form of attestation is misleading. It states that discharge by purchase cannot be claimed while a proclamation is in force requiring the Army Reserve to enter upon service with the Colours. Such conditions are still in force. To avoid any possibility of misunderstanding, however, recruiting officers have been specifically instructed to draw recruits' attention 2007 before attestation to the fact that they cannot at present claim discharge by purchase.
§ Mr. PrescottIs the hon. Gentleman aware that, quite apart from the case I sent him, I have since had two further cases of soldiers who have been misled by this form of attestation; is he further aware that soldiers are not legally qualified; that the clause is very badly drafted; and will he take steps to amend it, in view of the fact that it leads to a great deal of dissatisfaction among Service personnel?
§ Mr. FreemanEven if the clause is badly drafted, it reproduces the terms of the Army Act, for which the hon. Member must share responsibility.
§ Mr. PrescottIs the hon. Gentleman aware that many soldiers who try to, and intend to, enlist are not lawyers and do not understand the Army Act; and will he take steps to redraft this clause in common sense language?
§ Mr. FreemanNo, Sir. I have taken steps to draw attention to the point made by the hon. Member, and I think I can give him an assurance that the position will, in fact, be satisfactory in future.