§ Mr. Bellengerasked the Minister of Defence whether he will issue a statement showing the information which he has obtained from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation concerning the effective period of national service in each of the member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
§ Mr. H. Macmillan[pursuant to his reply, OFFICIAL REPORT, 24th November, 1954; Vol. 533, c. 1228–1229] gave the following additional information:
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PERIOD OF COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE IN NATO COUNTRIES (1) (As At September, 1954) Country Initial (Active Service) Reserve Service Statutory Period Effective Period Statutory and Effective Period Months Months Years Belgium:—All Services … … Max. 24 18 13½ (2) Min. 12 Canada … … No compulsory military service. Denmark:—All Services … … 12 (3) 18(4) 28½ France:—All Services … … 18 18 26½ Greece:—Navy … … 24 21 27 (6) Army … … 21 (5) Air Force … … 24 Iceland … … No compulsory military service. Italy:—Navy … … 28 23–24 22(7) Army … … 18 18 (8) 22½ (7) Air Force … … 18 (8) 22½ (7) Luxembourg:—Army only … … 12 12 25 Netherlands:—Navy … … 24 21 13½ Army … … 18 Air Force … … 21 Norway:—Navy … … No period specified by law (9) 18 22½ Army … … 16 Air Force … … 18 Portugal:—Navy … … 48 48 (10) Army … … 24 18 (11) 23½ (12) Air Force … … Turkey:—Navy … … 36 36 24 Army and Air Force … … 24 24 24 United Kingdom:—All Services … … 24 24 3½(13) U.S.A.:—Army only (14) … … 24 24 6 Notes: (1) The information relates to conscripts below N.C.O. rank. In many countries conscript officers, N.C.O.s and technicians are liable to serve for additional periods with both the active forces and the reserves. (2) The total period of legal liability for whole and part-time compulsory military service is 15 years commencing from 1st January of the year designating the appropriate age-class. (3) The period fixed by law is 12 months which may be increased in special circumstances. (4) It has been decided to reduce this to 16 months in 1955. (5) 18 months for infantry, 21 months for all other arms. (6) The total period of legal liability for whole and part-time compulsory military service extends from 21 to 50. (7) The total period of legal liability for whole and part-time compulsory military service extends from 21 to 45. (8) As from November, 1954; previously 15 months. (9) Determined by Parliament, but not in form of law. (10) Information not available. (11) A relatively small number of Army conscripts are sent on leave after an initial period of 6 months. (12) The total period of legal liability for whole and part-time compulsory military service extends from 20 to 45. (13) The total period of liability for whole-time and part-time service is 5½ years, but, on completion of their 5½ years' service, men called up before 1st January, 1954 remain liable to recall until 30th June, 1959. They are not required to carry out training during this latter period. (14) Men are at present only being conscripted into the Army.