§ MR. ASHLEYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War why, in view of his decision that men over thirty-six years of age are not suitable for active service abroad, a man is permitted to reenlist into the Special Reserve of the Royal Engineers, under Army Order 186 of 1908, up to thirty-five years of age for a period of four years.
§ MR. HALDANEGood tradesmen were always allowed to enlist in the Militia Royal Engineers up to thirty-five years of age. This regulation has been extended to the Royal Engineers Special Reserve as it is essential that there should be a proportion of good and experienced tradesmen in these units. I may add that these Engineers have not the same war strain on them that Cavalry, Artillery, and Infantry have to endure.
§ *MR. ASHLEYSurely there is more strain on the man building a bridge under fire than on the man who crosses it?
§ [No Answer was returned.]