§ * MR. G. KEMP (Lancashire, Heywood)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, whether a soldier can be retained in the Service if he enlists when under the required age, and the authorities have been informed of the fact before he reaches the regulation age?
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. POWELL-WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.A soldier who was enlisted as a result of a false statement of age cannot claim his discharge as a right until the term for which he enlisted has expired; but, in practice, a soldier so enlisted when under 17 years of age is discharged as a matter of course; and if between 17 and 18 years of age when enlisted, the General Officer Commanding can discharge him if he thinks it desirable.