§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answers given by Viscount Cranborne on 7th December 1994 (H.L. Deb., Col. WA 98) and on 5th April 1995 (WA 22), what progress has been made by the Cabinet Office in reviewing whether the rules for the armed forces which make distinctions, exclusions or preferences on the basis of national extraction (as distinct from nationality or residence) can be relaxed, in line with the changes made on the civilian side of the Ministry of Defence.
Earl Howe:The review of the recruitment policy for the armed forces regarding the nationality of an applicant's parents is being undertaken by the Ministry of Defence. This review is still in progress but is expected to be completed within six months.
The Cabinet Office review to which the Lord Privy Seal (Viscount Cranborne) referred in the last paragraph of his Written Answer of 5th April (WA 22) concerned an internal review of Cabinet Office recruitment policy in relation to place of birth and parental nationality rules for its own staff. That review was completed later in 1995 and, as a result, those rules were withdrawn with effect from 1st September 1995 for recruitment to the Cabinet Office generally though they may be applied in exceptional circumstances to safeguard the national interest.