§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many boys who joined the junior army applied to leave after they had been in for more than six months; how many were allowed to leave; and on what grounds.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownStatistics of the number of applications to leave the Army by junior soldiers with more than six months' service are not maintained. During the period 1st April 1974 to 31st March 1975 a total of 302 junior soldiers who had more than six months' service, but less than 12 months' service, actually left the Army. Of these 91 left on medical grounds, 200 left because their services were no longer required and 11 left for other reasons.
§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many boys joined the junior army in the last year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownDuring the period 1st April 1974 to 31st March 1975 8,093 boys joined as junior soldiers.
§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many boys who joined the junior army exercised their option to withdraw within six months in the last year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownFor the period 1st October 1973 to 30th September 1974, the last complete year for which figures are available, 1,863 junior soldiers exercised their option to leave the Army within six months of joining it.
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§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Defence on what basis a minor, for example a boy aged 16 years, is able to bind himself to a contract of service with the Army.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownSoldiers, including junior and young soldiers, are enlisted on terms of service in accordance with the Army Terms of Service Regulations 1967 made under the Army Act 1955.