HC Deb 11 July 1873 vol 217 cc209-10
MR. W. M. TORRENS

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, in accordance with the Address to the Crown of the 20th June 1871, praying that youths under twenty years of age should no more be sent as soldiers to India, and the gracious reply of Her Majesty that the Queen would give directions in conformity with the desire of the House, the practice has been discontinued; or, whether it is true, as currently stated, that many soldiers under the age referred to have been sent out within the last twelve months?

MR. CARDWELL

Sir, the Address was modified by the addition of the words "as far as practicable;" and a Departmental Committee, of which the Inspector General of Recruiting was President and the Director General of the Army Medical Department was a Member, was appointed to consider the best means of giving effect to it. The Report of that Committee was laid upon the Table of' this House. His Royal Highness's directions are in conformity with that Report, and I have had no reason to suppose that these directions have been departed from.