HC Deb 04 February 1902 vol 102 cc358-9
MR, NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a boy of 17 years of age, named James Lynch, of Angle Court, Dublin, has been enlisted in the Connaught Rangers without his parents' consent; whether his father has claimed that the boy should be discharged: whether he is aware that the father of this boy is in poor circumstances and has six other young children to provide for, and that the enlistment of the said James Lynch deprives him of help towards the maintenance of his family; and whether he will order the discharge of this boy from the Army in response to his father's appeal.

LORD STANLEY

These matters are left entirely to the discretion of the local military authorities, to whom the hon. Member should address any communications he may wish to make.

MR. NANNETTI

Is it not illegal for a recruiting officer to enlist boys under 18?

LORD STANLEY

Not if they stated their age as 18.

MR. NANNETTI

Has not this matter been already referred to the Commanding Officer and no satisfactory reply been given to the demand of the boy's father for his release, seeing that he is only 17, and enlisted without his parents' consent?

LORD STANLEY

I cannot interfere with the discretion of the Commanding Officer.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Oh, no! What about Lord Roberts?