§ THE EARL OF IDDESLEIGHMy 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 whether the Army's "Joint Short Service and Industrial Career" scheme may be extended for the benefit of officers holding Short Service Commissions in the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (LORD CHALFONT)My Lords, the scheme to which the noble Lord refers, which was announced last week, has been introduced to enable young men selected for an Army three-year short service commission to be considered for employment by firms at the end of their Army Service. When the introduction of this scheme was under consideration last year the other two Services were kept in touch with developments by the Army and both concluded that they did not wish to take part in it at present, because their requirements for short service officers differs in nature from that of the Army. In the case of the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines, the length of initial training makes it impracticable to offer a commission as short as three years; and secondly, short service officers are encouraged to extend their length of service. I should like to stress that the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines attach the greatest importance to assisting their officers, including short service officers, to resettle in civil life when they leave the Service.
§ THE EARL OF IDDESLEIGHMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that 438 reply. May I ask him whether the nationalised industries are participating in this scheme and also whether he could inform the House about the number of firms which are participating?
§ LORD CHALFONTMy Lords, I am afraid that I cannot give that information straight away, but I will get it and let the noble Earl have it.