§ 17. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of 985 the concern felt by many Regular Service men who, after serving seven years with the Colours and five years on the Reserve, are being retained, while others, after a service of two or three years, are being released; and whether he will take the necessary action to alter this.
§ Mr. M. StewartNo Regular soldier on a normal engagement is being released after serving only two or three years except on compassionate or medical grounds warranting premature discharge.
§ Mr. LewisThe Minister has undoubtedly missed the crux of the matter, which is that the man who has served seven years with the Colours and five years in the Service while being on the Reserve has done 12 years altogether. Does not the Minister think that after that period a man should be allowed to contract out if he so desires?
§ Mr. StewartThat was not the Question which my hon. Friend asked. He asked about men being released after two or three years, and I pointed out that there are none.