§ MR. SEXTON (for Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIEN,) Cork Co., N.E.I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Martin O'Donnell, at the date of his enlistment in the Connaught Rangers at Galway, was under the prescribed age for recruits; and whether, having regard to the fact that this young lad of seventeen years of age is the only support of a widowed mother, who has eight other young children, he will order O'Donnell's discharge?
§ *MR. E. STANHOPEMartin O'Donnell enlisted last February, and gave his age as eighteen years. He is five feet nine inches high, weighs one hundred and forty-five pounds, and has a chest measurement of thirty-five inches. An application for his discharge was made, but as he was well over the standard measurement the general officer commanding in Ireland did not feel justified in permitting it; a further reason was alleged that he is the sole support of his mother, and on this subject I am making further inquiry.