§ Mr. YOXALL (Nottingham, W.)To ask the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that in June, 1901, a boy of the age of thirteen years eight months, viz., 11,748, Private John Simpson, Royal Marines, Forton Barracks, Gosport, was permitted to enlist, during the absence of his father from home and without the knowledge of his mother; and that upon this boy going home on a short pass in May last, he refused to rejoin, was arrested for desertion by the police, and sent to the common gaol pending sentence; whether he is aware that at the date of the enlistment the boy's parents were liable to prosecution for his non-attendance at school; and whether, under the circumstances, he will procure the boy's discharge from the Army.
(Answer.) The Admiralty are not aware that the facts are as stated in the Question. The marine referred to enlisted at Nottingham on the 18th June, 1901, when he stated that his age was seventeen years ten months. As he was apparently over seventeen years of age, the consent of his parents was not necessary to his entry. He absented himself from Portsmouth headquarters on the 12th May last, was apprehended at Nottingham on the 17th idem, and conducted to his headquarters, where he was dealt with for his military offence. If the hon. Member will send me the evidence upon which the statements in his Question are based, the case will be inquired into.—(Admiralty.)