§ Sir F. Bennettasked the Minister of State for Defence whether any reduction is contemplated in the period of engagement required of Royal Navy ratings and Royal Marines other ranks who join as adults.
§ Mr. KirkAt present, with certain limited exceptions, adults joining the non-apprentice Branches of the Royal Navy, and those joining the Royal Marines, engage for nine years active service. As from 1st January, 1971, recruits to these Branches of the Royal Navy, and to the Royal Marines who are over 17½ years old will be offered, as an alternative, an engagement which will allow them to opt to end their active service after four years from the age of 18, or, if they were over 18 when they joined, from the date of joining.