HC Deb 07 December 1951 vol 494 c323W
Lieut. - Colonel Bromley - Davenport

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the earliest age at which boys attached to the Royal Navy are sent on foreign service; and how many boys of this age are at present overseas.

Mr. J. P. L. Thomas

Boys are normally liable for draft to ships employed on either home or foreign stations from the age of 16. They are not drafted to shore establishments abroad. There are at present 19 boys between the ages of 16 and 16½ serving in H.M. ships abroad.