HL Deb 31 July 1963 vol 252 cc1135-6
VISCOUNT BRIDGEMAN

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is the case that those who have attended approved schools are no longer accepted as recruits in the Regular Army; and, if so, why.]

LORD CARRINGTON

No, my Lords. Boys from approved schools may be considered for the Army six months after their release, and those who are judged suitable are accepted.

VISCOUNT BRIDGEMAN

My Lords, in thanking my noble friend for that reply, may I say how glad I am to hear it?—because, as I am sure that he and the rest of the House know, about 20 per cent. of the boys who go to approved schools have committed no offence at all but are sent there for their own good. The loss of those boys to the Army, if they wished to join, would be considerable, and the possibility of joining the Army is a great opportunity to those boys.

LORD CARRINGTON

Yes, my Lords; and those are, of course, the reasons which the Army have had under consideration.

VISCOUNT BRIDGEMAN

I am much obliged to my noble friend.