§ 34. Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Defence why boy soldiers absent from their units have their belongings sold by auction without their parents being given notice or consenting.
Mr. RichardsIf my hon. Friend has an individual case in mind, perhaps he would write to me, but I can tell him that in general we do our best to keep in close touch with parents.
§ Mr. RoseDoes not my hon. Friend agree that this is an outmoded practice based upon concepts which are at least 50 years out of date? Will he take it from me that this has happened, and will he ensure that in future cases where boys are missing from their units their parents will be informed before their belongings are sold?
§ Mr. RichardMy hon. Friend will know that one of the Queen's Regulations provides that a commanding officer must notify the parents of an absentee junior after three days' absence. If there are specific instances where this has not taken place, I agree with the comments of my hon. Friend.