§ 48. Sir LEO CHIOZZA MONEYasked the Prime Minister if his attention has been directed to the fact that ten out of twelve of the men in this country aged thirty-nine to forty are married, and that most of them have children; and if he will, in view of the undesirability of accentuating social difficulties and of creating enormous liabilities for the State, consider the restoration of thirty-eight as the maximum age for recruits?
§ 51. Sir A. MARKHAMasked whether the Cabinet authorised and approved Lord Kitchener's appeal to enlist married men of forty years of age with families, and whether the Government will take steps to discourage for the time being the enlistment of married men, seeing that the Government have obtained and are obtaining more men than they can arm and equip; whether he is aware that dissatisfaction prevails among many of the troops owing to their having been for many months without rifles or equipment; 350 and whether the Government will now consider the desirability of registering only the names of young men willing to enlist till such time as the necessary equipment can be provided for their use?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)The extension of the age limit was intended to widen, and has had the effect of widening, the field for recruiting, and to give to eligible men, hitherto debarred, an opportunity to serve their country. It is not in the public interest to indicate the extent of the provision which has been made for arming and equipping the new troops. Any delay or arrears there may have been in this matter are being made good, and all who offer are wanted.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMIs that a reply to my question?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMIs the right hon. Gentleman aware there are many miners withdrawn from their work in Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, and Derbyshire nine months ago who have not yet got rifles?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have said it is not desirable to go into details. Whatever arrears there are are now being made up.