HC Deb 26 November 1973 vol 865 cc44-5W
Mr. David Clark

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will list the present and past NATO countries which currently have conscription.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

The list is as follows : Belgium, Denmark, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Turkey.

Mr. David Clark

asked the Minister of State for Defence what representations he has received in favour of reintroducing conscription ; and what replies he has sent.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

Since July 1970, 27 letters proposing the reintroduction of conscription have been received by the Ministry of Defence, although all but three of these mentioned social and educational benefits of conscription rather than the need to man the Forces adequately as the main reason for advocating such a policy. The replies which we sent pointed out that, whatever the social educational benefits of a period of conscript service may be, successive Governments have decided against conscription.