§ 79. Mr. Proctorasked the First Lord of the Admiralty to make it a practice to obtain the consent of parents before accepting recruits into the Royal Navy under 18 years of age; and if he will review his decision to refuse discharge to Kenneth Shaw who joined the Royal Navy at the age of 17 years and two months without his parents' consent.
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasIt has long been the practice to seek the consent of parents for the entry of any boy under the age of 17, but I am considering whether the scope of the rule should be extended in future to apply to entries just over this212W age. I will write to the hon. Member when a decision has been reached. As regards Kenneth Shaw, discharge before completion of engagement is at present permissible only where there are strong compassionate reasons. If Shaw has a compassionate case, it is open to him to put it forward through his commanding officer when it will be carefully considered.