asked the Minister for Defence if he will state if any men have been released from military service since the commencement of the present emergency by way of purchase; and, if so, the number of such cases with the amount of purchase in each case; if offers of purchase have been made in any case of application for discharge from the forces; and, if so, the number of such cases with the purchase figures; and, further, if he is prepared to take immediate steps to abolish this system.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Releases.
Seventy-four members of the Defence Forces have been discharged by purchase since the commencement of the present emergency for sums ranging from £5 to £35, details regarding which are contained in a separate statement which will be published in the Official Report.
It is not practicable, having regard to the amount of research work which would be involved, to state the number of soldiers who applied to purchase their discharge from military service during the same period. It can, however, be stated that comparatively few soldiers have sought or been offered discharge on these grounds. It is not proposed to take away from a soldier his right to apply for his discharge by purchase.
The statement referred to is as follows:—
Payments as hereunder were made in respect of the 74 members of the Defence Forces who were permitted to purchase their discharge since the commencement of the present emergency:
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
|
17 each on payment of the sum of |
5 |
0 |
0 |
|
6 ,, ,, ,, ,, |
7 |
10 |
0 |
|
25 ,, ,, ,, ,, |
10 |
0 |
0 |
|
16 ,, ,, ,, ,, |
15 |
0 |
0 |
|
4 ,, ,, ,, ,, |
20 |
0 |
0 |
|
4 ,, ,, ,, ,, |
25 |
0 |
0 |
|
2 ,, ,, ,, ,, |
35 |
0 |
0 |
What considerations determine the amount of purchase in each case? Does the Minister not consider that this system operates unfairly in the case of very poor families? I know a family in very poor circumstances who made application for the discharge of a member of the Army to the Ministry of Defence. They were informed that the boy in question would be released on payment of £15. I know that the widow in question, who made the application for the release of her son, could not afford to pay 15/- not to speak of £15. If soldiers are not required for the service of the State, they should be discharged without putting a cash value on them.
The amount is determined by the cost to the State of training the individual concerned. In the case of a member of the Army in the School of Music, a large amount of money might have been expended on him in training over a period of years. If he decides to leave the Army, the State is entitled to recoup itself in some small measure for the cost of his training.
Fair enough.