§ Mr. WILKIEasked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been drawn to the case of the son of James Barnett, of Dundee, who enlisted in the Royal Scots Guards at Edinburgh on 8th February last; whether he is aware that at the time he was under eighteen years of age, and therefore, he being a minor, it is necessary to have the consent of his parents before enlisting; and, having regard to the indifferent health of his father and the circumstances of the case, will he inquire into it and release the boy in question? The hon. Member explained that his question referred to the Royal Scots, and not the Scots Guards.
§ Mr. HALDANEThat explanation affects the answer prepared for the original form of the question. No recruit of the name of Barnett can be traced as having enlisted into the Scots Guards. Perhaps the hon. Member will furnish me with further details, giving the name under which he enlisted and his regimental number, I may point out that the enlist- 189 ment of a minor is legal even without the consent of his parents, but that, on the application of the parents for his release, containing proof that he misstated his age on enlistment, he can be discharged, at the discretion of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, under Paragraph 390 (6) of the King's Regulations.