§ Sir Richard Glynasked the Secretary of State for War whether soldiers who purchase their discharge have a liability for service with the Reserve; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RamsdenIn many cases the circumstances which have led to a soldier purchasing his discharge would not debar him from giving useful service in an emergency. I propose therefore that from 1st April, 1964, trained soldiers with less than 12 years' service (9 years in the case of soldiers enlisted for 22 years before 1st October, 1957), who at present may be granted discharge by purchase, should be transferred to Section "B" of the Regular Reserve by purchase, to serve therein for the balance of their committed Colour service and reserve liability. For example, a man who enlisted for 22 years on or after 1st October, 1957, and leaves by purchase after completing five years' Colour service will be required to serve in the Regular reserve for seven years.
I estimate that this scheme will produce 1,000 additional reservists a year with an average of six years' liability each. This will, therefore, increase Section "B" of the reserve by some 6,000 reservists in six years' time. The increased figure is likely to be maintained thereafter.
Transfer to the reserve by purchase will be governed by the same rules as discharge by purchase and the same financial rates will apply.
The system of discharge by purchase will be retained for those cases where transfer to the reserve would be inappropriate—for instance, where the soldier proposes to live abroad.
Men transferred to the reserve by purchase will receive the normal rates of reserve pay and will have the normal liabilities of other Section "B" Regular Reservists