§ Sir J. Lucasasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, on 21st March, 1940, the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South, was informed by letter that Mr. David Kimmond could apply for entry into the Royal Navy in the lower deck for continuous service, but that Mr. Kimmond's applications, both before and after the letter, were turned down by the recruiting officer at Southampton on the ground that this was temporarily suspended; and whether, in view of the exceptional qualifications of Mr. Kimmond and of the letter in question, he will now authorise his enlistment for continuous service?
§ Sir V. WarrenderI regret that the letter of 21st March was written under a misapprehension, as recruiting on continuous service engagements had (except for boys and apprentices) been suspended in all branches a short time before. Mr. Kinmond would in any event have been too old for entry on a continuous service engagement in the seaman branch, which is his preference. If he is fit, he is eligible to join on a special service engagement, and he might be able to transfer later to a continuous service basis, when recruiting on such engagements is reopened.