HC Deb 25 February 1954 vol 524 cc53-4W
Mr. Callaghan

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what proportion of boy entrants, who are offered the option of signing on for short-service commissions at the age of 18 years, do so.

Mr. J. P. L. Thomas

About 75 per cent.

Mr. Callaghan

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the proportion of Regulars signed on for short-service and 12-year commissions, respectively, in 1950, 1951. 1952 and 1953.

Mr. J. P. L. Thomas

The proportions of Regular ratings and other ranks entered on special service (seven-year) and continuous service (12-year) engagements have been as follows:

— 7 years 12 years
per cent. per cent.
1950 38 62
1951 39 61
1952 13 87
1953 12 88
These figures are based on engagements at entry and thus do not take into account the numbers of transfers of boys from 12 to seven-year engagements subsequently. Adjustment for this factor would reduce the proportion of 12-year entrants shown above by about 15 per cent, in each case.