§ MR. M'CARTANasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received a memorial from Archibald Laverty, of Collyer Street, Belfast, with reference to his only son, John, who, in September 1882, when only 13 years of age, without the consent of his parents, enlisted in the Royal Navy, and who was some time ago arrested as a deserter for not having returned to his ship on the expiration of his leave of absence: whether he is aware that the prescribed forms of engagement were presented to John Laverty for signature, and that they were never signed by him: and, whether, considering the circumstances under which the boy was brought from his home, the dangerous state of health into which his mother has fallen in consequence of his absence, and the other facts mentioned in the memorial, he will consider the prayer of the father and advise the discharge of the son?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONLetters were received from Archibald Laverty in July and August, 1887, asking for the discharge of his son on the plea that he entered the Navy without the consent of his parents. This, however, is not the case, as the paper bears his mother's signature. Neither is it the case that the forms of engagement were not signed 705 by John Laverty. The continuous service paper is in the office, duly completed and signed by him. No application for the discharge of his son was received from the father until five years after his son joined the Navy, or until July 1887, when he deserted from the Duke of Wellington. He was arrested last month, and is now undergoing his punishment for desertion on board the Duke of Wellington. I do not propose to interfere with the ordinary course of the service, or to sanction his discharge except under conditions contained in the Queen's Regulations.