§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will undertake not to use members of the forces in conflict situations if they are under 18 years of age; and if he will make a statement. [96087]
§ Mr. SpellarWe recruit volunteers into the Armed Forces from the age of 16. Some of these personnel join their units, having completed training well into their 17th year, but prior to their 18th birthday. While the number involved is relatively small, these trained personnel who, having joined their units, contribute to the operational effectiveness of that unit. Removing these personnel from units would undermine unit cohesiveness as well as operational effectiveness. It would also be unpopular with the personnel themselves and could exacerbate the problems of retention and overstretch.