HC Deb 22 March 1965 vol 709 c18W
Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will review the conditions and length of service set out in Service contracts entered into by sailors; and whether he will consider the possibility of providing a three-year option, after which time the signatories may decide whether or not to continue the engagement.

Mr. Mayhew

The length of a rating's engagement and the possibility of optional break points will be kept under review. A three-year optional break point might bring an initial increase in recruitment, but could also result in a more rapid turnover with consequent loss of efficiency and an unacceptably large increase in training costs.