§ 52. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made by the Committee studying the question of the length of unbroken service by sailors, soldiers, and airmen, signing on as recruits between the ages of 15 and 18; whether the Committee will receive evidence and opinions from Servicemen and ex-Servicemen who are or have been directly involved in this situation, and from hon. Members on behalf of their constituents; how soon he expects to receive the recommendations of the Lord Chancellor's Committee on the age of majority; and how soon after the receipt of such recommendations he expects to be able to announce the results of his review of this policy.
§ Mr. ReynoldsThe Committtee is making good progress. I should be pleased to receive from right hon. and hon. Members any contribution to its work. The Committee on the Age of Majority will report to my right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor. I shall wish to take account of its conclusions but will announce the result of my own inquiries as soon as possible afterwards.
§ Mr. DribergWhile I am grateful to my hon. Friend for what he said about the number of hon. Members who are interested in this matter, is there not something to be said for the suggestion contained in the second part of my Question, about direct evidence from people who know exactly the impact of the appalling existing situation?
§ Mr. ReynoldsA lot of this direct evidence and many of the views which exist on this matter have been collected by the organisation of which my hon. Friend formed part of a delegation which came to see me. I expressed the view to them that I express today; that I will be pleased to receive any information which my hon. Friend or any other hon. 94 Member or organisation would like to send to me.