§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the deployment of young people under the age of 17 years in the naval service. [56418]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonFollowing a recent review of the policy for the deployment of young people into operational service in Royal Navy vessels and Royal Marine units I have decided that, with immediate effect, Naval Service personnel will not be deployed below the age of 17. Recruitment and training at age 16 will, however, continue. This change brings the Naval Service into line with the Army and RAF, which do not deploy young people below the age of 17.