§ Mr. BurnettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement as to the policy for Return to Mainstream service for personnel in the Special Air Service's and Special Boat Service; and whether he plans to recruit for SAS and SBS other than from serving members of the regular armed forces. [49467]
§ Mr. IngramNon-commissioned personnel who successfully complete United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) selection, and continue to maintain appropriate standards, will nonnally serve the balance of their careers with UKSF. The careers of regular serving officers will be managed in a way which balances service within and outside the UKSF group, to the mutual benefit of the individual, UKSF and the parent service.
Members of UKSF may be returned to their parent corps at any time should they be found unsuitable for further service or should they wish to do so at their own request.
Volunteers for the SBS and SAS, who must have completed two years adult military service, may apply from any part of the regular armed forces, as may reservists serving with one of the UKSF reserve units. Applicants from overseas are also eligible in certain circumstances. There are no plans to expand the recruiting base.