§ Mr. Johnasked the Minister of State for Defence what is the percentage of persons purchasing their discharge or opting for discharge at the age of 18 years in the Royal Engineers; and how this compares with the average percentage of such categories for the whole of the Army.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithUnder the terms of the Donaldson Committee recommendations, junior entrants and young soldiers who are enlisted under the age of 17½ can leave the Army without charge within the first six months of service. Between 1st April and 1st September, 1971, 24.3 per cent. of entrants to the Royal Engineers opted for such discharge, compared with 23.9 per cent. for the whole Army. I regret that I am unable readily to say how many of these left actually on reaching 18.
There are also adult recruits who join below the age of 18 and who may opt for discharge within six months or before reaching 18¼ on payment of £20. The figures for these are not immediately available, but I will write to the hon. Member.