§ Matthew GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the youngest age is at which someone can(a) join the armed forces and (b) take part in operations. [29466]
§ Mr. IngramThe lowest age at which people are able to join the armed forces is 16 years. Applicants under the age of 18 years require the formal consent of their parents or guardians before they are permitted to join.
No service personnel under the age of 17 are deployed on operations. No personnel under the age of 18 carry out operational patrols in Northern Ireland, although 17-year-olds can be based in the Province. Under-18s are not deployed as aircrew or in submarines.
In line with United Nations (UN) policy, we do not deploy personnel under the age of 18 on UN peacekeeping operations.
We are currently finalising detailed administrative procedures and guidelines for the armed forces to give concrete form to the United Kingdom's commitment made on signing Optional Protocol II of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to take all feasible measures to ensure that personnel under the age of 18 do not take a direct part in hostilities.
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