§ 39. Miss Lestorasked the Minister of State for Defence what action the Government proposes taking on the recommendations of the Donaldson Committee on the recruitment and release of boys in the services.
§ 40. Mr. Nigel Fisherasked the Minister of State for Defence when the Donaldson Committee will report.
§ The Minister of State for Defence (Lord Balniel)We have received a full and valuable report from the Committee which we are studying sympathetically with a view to the early publication of the report itself and of the Government's conclusions.
§ Miss LestorI thank the noble Lord for that reply. Why has there been such a delay in publishing this report, bearing in mind that the Committee on this subject was sitting for some long time during last June and that this whole matter of young boy recruits has been a matter of grave concern to this House over a long period?
§ Lord BalnielThe report concerns a very complex and important matter for the military forces. I think that it deserves very full, deep and sympathetic study. As soon as possible, we shall be making a statement to the House.