§ Mr. FELLasked the Secretary of State for War if his attention had been called to the case of A. V. Connelly, who came 1917 before the magistrate for West London on a charge of desertion from the 6th battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, but who was stated to be only 15 years and 9 months old, and whose ease was in consequence remitted by the magistrate to the children's court; if he can state when and where the boy was enlisted, how he came to be enlisted, and if he passed a medical examination; and what satisfactory assurance he can give that there are no other boys of a similar age enrolled in the Army?
§ Mr. HALDANEThis recruit was enlisted for the Special Reserve at Hounslow on 25th January, and was duly passed by the medical officer and the approving officer. He gave his age as 17 years 10 months and his late employer, to whom reference was made for character, and in whose employ he served for twelve months, made no exception to this statement. He is up to the physical standards now in force.
§ Mr. FELLIs it not a fact that but for the accident of this case coming before the court the boy's age would never have been discovered, and that this is but one of many similar cases?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe boy's appearance was such that this case would have been discovered. I hope there are not many such cases.
§ Earl WINTERTONWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the latter part of the question, "What satisfactory assurance he can give that there are no other boys of a similar age enrolled in the Army?"
§ Mr. HALDANEOnly that we take all the pains we possibly can to make sure.