§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, whether any men have yet been allowed to enter the Regular Army from the depots at the age of 17½; and, if so, what is the number of such men.
§ MR. HALDANEThe right hon. Gentleman is presumably referring to the Special Reserve recruits who are allowed to enlist in the Regular Army if under the age of 18 provided that they have completed the six months drill on enlistment. Recruiting for the Special Reserve only commenced on January 16th, and no such recruits could therefore have enlisted into the Regular Army as none would be qualified before the 15th July.
§ MR. ASHLEYIs it the right hon. Gentleman's intention to permit the enlistment of these men at 17½?
§ MR. HALDANEWe have said that when they have undergone six months training in the Special Reserve we shall enlist them into the Regular Army.