§ 46. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Defence what has been the average cost to those Service men who have obtained their discharge by purchase, since the reintroduction of this practice after the war, excluding all discharges that have been given free.
§ The Minister of Defence (Mr. A. V. Alexander)About £60, Sir.
§ Mr. DigbyDoes not the Minister consider that this amount is rather high in view of the present rates of Service pay?
§ Mr. AlexanderCertainly not in relation to today's costs of the technical training of men in the Services. I might add that the amount at present being paid on discharge seems to be no deterrent to applicants.
§ Commander NobleWould the Minister consider granting special terms to boys who joined the Navy in the early days of the war before they were able to join on short enlistment?
§ Mr. AlexanderI would not like to go beyond the present practice of dealing compassionately with compassionate cases.