§ CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State 1328 for War whether he is aware that on the 8th instant Peter Walsh, of Donaghmore, county Cork, was enlisted at the Cork barracks upon his own statement that he was over eighteen years of age, and that when Kate Walsh, mother of the lad, applied upon the following day for the discharge of her son, producing at the same time his birth certificate proving that his age was only seventeen, her request was refused, and she was not even permitted access to her son; and whether under these circumstances, and in view of the fact that Peter Walsh was removed to England on the 13th instant, steps will be taken to send him back to his parents.
§ *MR. WYNDHAMI explained on Monday, in answer to a similar question, that, under the regulations, if a recruit is over seventeen years of age his retention in the service rests entirely with the General Officer commanding the district, with whose discretion the Secretary of State does not interfere.
§ CAPTAIN DONELANIs it intended to retain this boy in the service against the will of his parents?
§ *MR. WYNDHAMThis question has been asked and answered over and over again. It is a matter of uniform practice, when the recruit has turned seventeen years of age, to retain him in the service until the General Officer commanding; decides otherwise.
§ CAPTAIN DONELANWhy was the mother of the lad refused permission to see him?
§ [No reply was given.]
§ MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)Is there, no War Office rule by which a recruit is discharged when he is absolutely necessary for the support of his father and mother?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! That does not arise out of the question.