§ Lieut. - Colonel Bromley - Davenportasked the Secretary of State for War whether when conscription ends, he will consider introducing short-term engagements of two years designed to encourage boys keen on doing National Service to join the Army, but who would not feel able to commit themselves for a longer period.
§ Mr. J. AmeryI regret that we could not introduce, except for special categories, a short-term engagement without detracting from the six-year term, and adding unduly to our recruiting, training, movement and other overheads. Young men who desire to give military service but do not wish to join the Regular Army can help most effectively by joining the Territorial Army or the Army Emergency Reserve on an engagement of two, three or four years.