asked the Secretary of State for Defence, in the last year for which figures are available, how many soldiers enlisted at the ages of (a) 16 years, (b) 17 years and (c) 18 years; and what proportion had discharged themselves before serving (i) three months, (ii) six months and (iii) 12 months.

In the financial year 1985–86, the numbers of soldiers enlisted at ages 16, 17 and 18 were as follows:

	Number
Age 16	7,106
Age 17	3,310
Age 18	2,475

Of these, the following percentages obtained discharge as of right during the first six months of their service:

	Per cent.
Age 16 at entry	21·1
Age 17 at entry	18·9
Age 18 at entry	15·0

Statistics are not readily available of the numbers in each age group obtaining discharge during the first three months or between seven and 12 months of service, and the information could only be obtained with disproportionate effort and cost.