asked the Minister for Defence why a married man may not enlist in the Army.

Defence Force regulations permit of the enlistment in the Permanent Defence Force of married men who have previous full-time service in the Force and who comply with certain conditions as to age, health and general suitability. Married men who did not have previous service may, subject to similar conditions, enlist in the Naval Service.

Otherwise it has been the settled policy for many years past not to permit the enlistment of married men.