HC Deb 10 December 1958 vol 597 cc316-8
3. Mr. V. Yates

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many applications for discharge were received from all ratings under the age of 21 for 1957 and 1958. respectively; how many were permitted to purchase their discharge; how many were allowed a free compassionate discharge; and how many applications were refused.

Mr. R. Allan

Our records do not distinguish applicants under 21 years of age from those of 21 or over. In 1957, however, 32 juniors in the early stages of their training applied for discharge. Twenty-three of these applications were approved, of which 8 were free discharges. Nine applications were refused. In 1958 to the end of September there were 18 applications. Fifteen were approved, including 8 free discharges. Three were refused.

Mr. Yates

While I appreciate that Answer, may I ask whether the Minister appreciates that there is considerable feeling among many in the Navy who have never been allowed to have their appeals considered?

Mr. Allan

No. I am afraid that the hon. Member is wrong. Their appeals are always considered. The hon. Member's Question refers to juniors or to those under the age of 21. The appeals of those over 21 years of age are always considered and the refusals are fairly small in number.

4. Mr. V. Yates

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many applications for discharge received from all ratings under the age of 21 years are at present outstanding; the present method of reviewing such applications; and whether he will consider modifying the present procedure to meet the particular needs of young boys who may wish to change their minds.

Mr. R. Allan

At the moment there are two applications from juniors under consideration in the Admiralty. I am not able to say whether or not there are others in the process of transmission. These applications are passed from the Commanding Officer to the Commander-in-Chief, who can either approve the application or pass it to the Admiralty.

Though we are always prepared to modify or improve our methods the figures I have just given the hon. Gentleman indicate that the present procedure meets the difficulties of most juniors who are slow to settle down to naval life.

Mr. Yates

If every case had to take as long as a case from my constituency, of which the Minister is well aware, it would be very discouraging for juniors even to apply. Does not the hon. Gentleman consider that a more representative body or tribunal should sit to consider these applications, especially as I understand that the Grigg Committee was recently informed that there was considerable feeling in the Navy about these questions?

Mr. Allan

I do not think it is necessary, because the figures I have given show that the position is fairly satisfactory. In the case in which the hon. Member took great interest, there were special circumstances which caused the delay. In 1954, however, it was decided that for boys in the junior training establishments—those in whom the hon. Member is mostly interested—the term "compassionate grounds" was to be interpreted broadly and to be extended to include juniors who were clearly unhappy in the career they had chosen or which had been chosen for them.

12. Dr. Bennett

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will ease the terms and conditions of purchase of discharge from the Royal Navy.

Mr. R. Allan

As my hon. Friend knows, the number of men who can be allowed to buy their discharge depends on the overall manpower position. As this improves, it should be possible to increase the proportion of discharges by purchase. The position is now, and will continue to be reviewed quarterly.

Dr. Bennett

As some of the applicants for such discharges will inevitably come from the Gosport area, may I ask my hon. Friend, first, how many applications are still outstanding; secondly, at what annual rate the purchase of discharges is being permitted; and, finally, what prospects there are of a sufficient improvement in the manpower position to permit some adjustment in the near future?

Mr. Allan

In answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, there are 256 applications outstanding. The present target for this year is to release about 1,400 personnel by discharge. Therefore, in answer to the last part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, I think that the position will very soon right itself.