§ LORD BLYTONMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what proposals they have for introducing a break-point in their service for new entries to the Royal Navy.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE ROYAL NAVY (LORD WINTERBOTTOM)My Lords, as the noble Lord, Lord Shackleton, said during the Second Reading of the Armed Forces Bill on November 15, we intend to make regulations under this Bill giving all new recruits to the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines the right to purchase their discharge for £20 during the last fourteen days of their third month of service. This will bring the Navy into line with the other two Services which have similar arrangements for allowing recruits to purchase their discharge during their first three months of service.
§ LORD BLYTONMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his Answer. In the context of to-day, does he think three months is sufficient time for boys who enlist at fifteen and whose entrances are at eighteen years of age? They must have eight to ten weeks' training in ordinary seamanship, and I should like to see them have a trip on the high seas before making up their minds. Could we not extend this period to six months?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, I think the House will recognise that progress has been made in bringing the 1226 Royal Navy into line with the other two Services, but I shall bear in mind what my noble friend has said.