§ 10. Mr. Wallasked the Minister of State for Defence in view of the recent relaxation of rules allowing junior naval ratings and Royal Marine other ranks to opt out of the Service, if he will now consider altering the 12-week option during recruit training.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy (Mr. Peter Kirk)In introducing the notice engagement we took into account such factors as the recruit discharge option. We concluded, however, that the reasons for the current three months' period for adults and six months' period for juniors remain valid.
§ Mr. WallAre not a great number of potential recruits lost at this option time? Would not it be better to have the option at the end of recruit training instead of in the middle, as it is now?
§ Mr. KirkNo, I think it is better to have it where it is. We are anxious not to lose more than we have to, and for that reason we are bringing forward the award of the green beret to just before the three-month option period.