§ 51. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Defence what effect discharge by purchase from the Services will have on any gratuity or bounty accruing to the person concerned.
§ Mr. AlexanderAs my hon. Friend knows, I hope to make an announcement of all the conditions governing discharge by purchase in the near future. I would prefer to deal with the question of gratuities then, and I will make sure the point is not overlooked.
§ Mr. RankinWhile I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer, may I ask him if he will assure us that there will be no discrimination between those who are wealthy enough to purchase their discharge and those who are not?
§ Mr. AlexanderI can assure my hon. Friend that discharge by purchase has never been of a discriminatory nature, and we would not wish to make a departure from that precedent.