§ 62. Mr. Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will reduce the period of service which a young man who has joined the Royal Navy at the age of 16 years has to complete before he can obtain his discharge by purchase by allowing the period between the ages of 16 and 18 years to count towards the total period which he is obliged to serve.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuAs I said during the debate on the Committee stage of the Armed Forces Bill, I have asked my Department to consider allowing time served before the age of 18 to count towards completion of the first engagement. If this change is made, such time will also count as part of the period of service which a rating must complete before he can obtain his discharge by purchase.