§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans to seek to recruit large numbers of unemployed school leavers into the support arms of the forces.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe MOD currently operates the armed services youth training scheme (ASYTS) which is parallel to, but separate from, the Manpower Services Commission youth training scheme (YTS). Consideration is being given to the possible extension of the existing ASYTS from one to two years in line with that for the MSC YTS announced by the Chancellor in his Budget statement earlier this year. No decisions have yet been taken and no wider scheme is under consideration.