§ 32. Mr. O'DOWDasked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that a young man, eligible in every way, was refused employment in Woolwich Arsenal because it was discovered that he was a few months short of the statutory age, twenty-one years; and, if so, whether this disqualification can be dispensed with?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)I am unable to trace the particular case from the information afforded by the hon. Member. No such qualification is insisted on for employment in the Arsenal. It has been found that men under twenty-one are not, as a rule, sufficiently experienced to be employed as fully-qualified mechanics, although they might be engaged as improvers.