§ Sir J. Mellorasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement with regard to the conditions which must be satisfied to enable a soldier, called up under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, to obtain a refund of part of any purchase money paid for his previous discharge from the Army; and whether he will indicate the principles upon which the amount of the refund is to be determined?
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§ Mr. StanleyA refund of purchase money is not admissible except in the case of re-enlistment into the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, the Army or the Royal Air Force on a normal regular engagement for not less than three years with the Colours. A man who is liable to be called up under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939, may apply to re-enlist on a normal engagement with the Regular Forces at any time prior to his receipt of a calling-up notice. He may also apply to his commanding officer to be considered for re-enlistment on such an engagement after he has been called up and posted to a unit. After completing three months' service on such an engagement of not less than three years, and provided the soldier had at least a "fair" character on discharge, a portion of the purchase money for his original discharge will be refunded to the person who provided it on the following basis:
- (1) If discharge was purchased before completion of three months' service—one-half of the purchase money;
- (2) If discharge was purchased after completing three months' service—two-thirds of the purchase money.