§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the release centres for all sections of the Armed Forces stating the total number of personnel engaged prinpically in the performance of the release procedures; and whether he is satisfied with the efficiency and convenience of these procedures.
§ Mr. William RodgersIn the Army, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force, service men are in most cases discharged from their units, where release procedures are carried out as part of normal personnel administration. In the Royal Navy the majority of ratings are discharged from one of three release centres in Portsmouth, Plymouth and Rosyth, where a total of 13 personnel are engaged principally in the performance of release procedures. This arrangement is necessary because it would be impracticable to carry out the release procedures in individual warships. The release of service personnel is carried out as quickly as the tasks involved allow34W and I have no evidence of general dissatisfaction on the part of retiring servicemen.