Boy Soldiers (Hansard, 8 April 1970)

§ 25. Mr. Frank Allaun
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the 11,000 boys, aged between 15 and 18 years, who joined the Armed Forces last year left within the permitted preliminary period; and if he will now ask the Donaldson Committee to expedite its proceedings and recommendations regarding boy soldiers.

§ Mr. Hattersley
Of the 11,000 boys, aged between 15 and 18 years, who joined the Armed Forces in 1969, about 1,400 had exercised their option to purchase their discharge by the end of 1969. It is estimated that a further 400 of these boys will purchase their discharge during the remaining period of the options expiring on 30th June, 1970. I am confident that the Donaldson Committee is fully aware of the need to report to me as soon as it has completed its study of this complex question.

§ Mr. Allaun
Is it right that the remainder, many of whom may later change their minds, should be held, possibly against their will, for 12 years in the forces, and that the forces should depend so heavily on these boys, who provide one in three of all recruits?

§ Mr. Hattersley
Some of the implications of my hon. Friend's question are things which we should like to change and remedy, but I do not want to comment on his supplementary question until the Donaldson Committee has reported.

§ Mr. Lubbock
Do not the figures which have been given indicate that since the permitted period was raised from three months to six months there has been an increase in the number of boys opting out? Is it not, therefore, logical to draw the conclusion that if these boys were given the option at the age of 18, many Servicemen who are unwillingly retained in the Services for 12 years would not remain, and the morale of the remainder would thereby be improved?

§ Mr. Hattersley
It is certainly reasonable to draw the conclusion that the more options for withdrawal that are offered to the Services the more options are likely to be taken up. A further conclusion can be drawn from the figures which have been given, that rather more boys have the opportunity of withdrawal from the forces than is sometimes suggested in the House. In fact, most boys who are deeply disturbed by their experience in the forces leave the forces, and the figures which I have given today substantiate that.