§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSE (Bristol, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the age and size of the later drafts sent to (South Africa, and whether he will call for a Report upon them.
LORD STANLEYMy hon. friend is perhaps unaware that there is no limit for age as regards drafts for South Africa in peace time, and therefore recruits are despatched to their units there as soon as possible. South Africa is considered a very suitable training ground for the young soldier. The paragraphs recently furnished to the Press appear to be exaggerated.
§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSEAre recruits of seventeen or eighteen sent out to South Africa?
LORD STANLEYYes: they are sent there just as they are sent to home battalions. We are testing the system in order to decide whether it shall be continued.