N.A.T.O. Countries (National Service)

HC Deb 11 May 1954 vol 527 cc61-2W

70. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether he will take action within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to press for the same period of National Service to be adopted by all members of the Organisation.

Mr. Birch

It is the view of Her Majesty's Government that the period of compulsory military service adopted by the various member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation should be adequate to enable them to fulfil their obligations to that Organisation. It is for each member country to determine its actual period of compulsory service in the light of its financial and economic position and its commitments outside N.A.T.O.