asked the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the recent innovation whereby naval ratings may he discharged from His Majesty's Service with a month's notice despite the fact that by reason of conduct and efficiency their retention is desirable, the system of discharge by purchase will be abolished and one month's notice on the part of ratings desirous of leaving the Service will be accepted as final and their final discharge authorised?

It will still be necessary to maintain the system of discharge by purchase. Recent orders for the compulsory discharge of a certain number of naval ratings were necessitated by the very large reductions in the Fleet.

Is not the Government under an obligation to these men?

No. This is an isolated case affecting a relatively small number of men, and the recommendation would not be justified.