HC Deb 23 January 1951 vol 483 c9
18. Mr. Chetwynd

asked the Secretary of State for War why service with the Royal Marines does not count for payment of bounty on re-enlistment for short-term engagement.

Mr. Strachey

Re-enlistment bounties were designed to attract into the Regular Army men with previous experience which would be of immediate use. They are consequently limited to men with at least two years' previous service in the Army who satisfy certain conditions as to rank and trade classification or who are already serving in the Army on short-service engagements at the time of re-enlistment.

Mr. Chetwynd

In view of the similarity of training between Marine and Army personnel, could the Minister look at this matter again?

Mr. Strachey

I am always willing to look at it again, but we think that the ex-Marine will probably be required to re-enlist in the Marines rather than in the Army, though, of course, we welcome him in the Army. But the special purpose of these bounties was to attract men of special experience to the Army.