HC Deb 06 December 1949 vol 470 cc1694-5
33. Mr. Albu

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will issue instructions that identical twins are, as far as possible, to be allowed to serve together during their period of National Service.

Mr. Shinwell

Instructions are already in existence that twins who wish to serve together as National Service men should be initially allotted to the same corps, join the same unit on the same date and, subject to the exigencies of the Service, undergo their whole-time Army service together. Unavoidable exceptions arise when twins are of different medical categories and cannot be initially allotted to the same corps, or when the call-up of one is deferred. In such cases every endeavour is made, when the twins wish to serve together, to post them to the same unit as early as possible during their whole-time service.

Mr. Albu

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his answer, may I ask whether he will draw the attention of commanding officers to the particular psychological and emotional difficulties of twins of this nature?

Sir I. Fraser

Can the Minister give an assurance that twins will be promoted to corporal and sergeant at the same time?

Mr. Keeling

Can the Secretary of State say whether his answer applies, as would appear, to all twins, or only to identical twins?

Mr. Shinwell

I understand that identical twins provide the largest number of twins born in this country.

Hon. Members

No.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Will similar regulations be made applying to triplets?

Mr. Shinwell

If the hon. Member can make any provision for such cases, I will consider it.

Mr. Albu

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that the case of identical twins is of a quite separate nature from that of twins who are not identical?