§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has given consideration to the effect of distinctions based on rank, such as different messes, and other facilities for officers as compared with other ranks, on recruitment to the Armed Forces; if he has plans for removing these distinctions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WellbelovedThere is no reason to believe that recruiting to the Services is impeded by the existence of separate messing and other facilities for officers and Service men, but if my hon. Friend has any evidence that this is so I shall be glad to consider it. There are good reasons for different rank groups in the Armed Services having their own facilities and there are no plans to change this practice.