asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to extend their re-enlistment bounty scheme to Armed Forces personnel in the medical services; whether the scheme will be inclusive of all ranks; and when the extension will be introduced. [HL3747]

Only the Army operates a re-enlistment bounty scheme and there are no plans to introduce such a scheme in the Royal Navy or Royal Air Force. The Army scheme is open to non-commissioned personnel only and is aimed at those who left the Service within the previous three years and who had completed between three and six years' service. The scheme was extended to include medical personnel in April 1997.