SIR HENRY FLETCHER (for Mr. TOTTENHAM)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the present regulations preclude men under one year's service, and 20 years of age, being sent out with, or to join regiments going to or serving in India; whether there is any special regulation authorising boys of 14 and upwards to be sent out; and, whether any boys are included in 1937 the drafts under orders to sail for India during the month of March?
§ MR. CHILDERSSir, my answer to the first part of the hon. Member's Question is in the affirmative. As to the second, every battalion, whether at home or abroad, is supposed to have one boy per 100 as musician, and one per 200 as tailor, and they are not ranked as men until they reach the age of 18. No boy is sent abroad unless he is certified to be medically fit. Among the drafts leaving this month for three regiments in India there will be 21 boys.