§ MR. PIRIE (Aberdeen, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the fact that purchase of discharge from the Army is in the meanwhile stopped, and to the consequently large number of boys enlisted under the regulation age of eighteen, whose parents are unable to assist them, he will consider the advisability of amending the soldier's attestation paper, Army Service, B. 265, so that the liability to a punishment which is at present only applicable to the giving a false answer to the last seven questions put to the recruit may also apply to the question as to his age.
LORD STANLEYIt was, I think, explained to the hon. Member last session that, as a man's actual age is held not to be a matter within his personal knowledge, it is not considered possible to take proceedings against him for a false answer.