DOUBTLESS many people will readily agree with the Conservative party leader David Cameron that some form of National Service might assist in the promotion of better standards of behaviour in the lives of the nation's young people.

The suggestion that a National Citizen's Service should be voluntary is not really any different from existing schemes.

What the country needs is a compulsory call-up for youngsters between the ages of 16 and 18, with possible exemptions or suspensions, relative to reports made on an individual in terms of career/education provision, for which the service to the nation may have some initial bearing.

All sections of society should support such a scheme, facilitating opportunities for young people to engage with the police, rescue services, social/welfare agencies during their term of engagement.

Many of these areas of social cohesion will have to review the extent to which they may have created professional exclusivity in the delivery of their services. The military, given their thorough professionalism and mastery over discipline, may assist where appropriate. Clearly, it must not be assumed that this scheme is an easy access to the armed services.

Modern Britain is a mix of complex social values, with a great deal of indifference towards putting self last, and many young people no longer, in many instances, have the opportunity for guidance and mentoring from families, church and youth leaders of former generations.

In our liberalism and sophistication we have forgotten that the human spirit needs direction and disciplne, and may be achieved in a renewed recognition of pride in our country and in the values those past generations fought so bravely to maintain.

THE RT REV RICHARD A PALMER, Southampton.