§ MR. GREERasked the Secretary of State for War, with reference to Article 663, Royal Warrant, 1st May 1878, by which it is provided that—
Boys of 14 years and upwards, specially enlisted under the Army Enlistment Acts of 1887 and 1870, shall reckon only on such portion of their services towards pension as they may render after they shall have attained the age of 17 years;and to Article 81, "Army Discipline and Regulation Act, 1879," by which it is provided that a soldier of the Regular Forces may— 427Be re-engaged for such further period of Army service as will make up a total continuous period of 21 years of Army service, reckoned from the date of his attestation, and inclusive of any period previously served in the Reserve"—whether it is possible, under these Articles, for boys between 14 and 17 years of ago, specially enlisted under the Army Enlistment Acts of 1867 and 1870, to obtain a pension; and, if "The Army Discipline and Regulation Act, 1879," requires alteration, so that boys enlisting under 17 years of age may re-engage, in order to enable them to complete 21 years' service from date of their attaining 17 years of age; and, if so, whether he will take into consideration the necessity of having such alteration made?
§ MR. CHILDERSThe question raised by the hon. Member is already under my consideration; but I could not easily point out the difficulties surrounding the case in reply to a Question. I shall probably have an opportunity of explaining my decision during the discussion of the Estimates.