HL Deb 28 June 2004 vol 663 c5WA
Lord Astor of Hever

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the statement by the Lord Bach on 16 June (HL Deb, col. 752) that "there is a pause on some recruits starting their phase one basic training courses. That is likely to be in place until October", how they reconcile this with his later statement that "there will not be a postponement of basic training until October" and that "there is certainly no ban on recruiting" (HL Deb, col. 753). [HL3314]

Lord Bach:

There is no ban on recruitment and no one expressing a wish to join the Army is turned away. Some individuals who have successfully passed through the recruit selection process may be given a date to commence their phase one (basic) training later in the year. This practice, which has been introduced as an expedient to help to maintain balance in Army manpower numbers, is likely to continue until October.