HC Deb 15 June 1915 vol 72 cc526-7
8. Sir CHIOZZA MONEY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what proportion of the recruits so far enlisted consists of married men, and if he can further state what proportion of the married men have children?

Mr. TENNANT

As I have already stated in the House, this information is not available.

9. Sir CHIOZZA MONEY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the unmarried men of the United Kingdom aged nineteen to thirty-eight number at least 3,600,000, and if he will consider the advisability of enlisting from these before creating further liabilities for the State, and making many widows and orphans, by continuing the enlistment of married men?

Mr. TENNANT

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for the Mansfield Division on the 10th June. I would point out that in the appeal issued by my Noble Friend no reference is made to the question of whether the recruit is or is not married.

Sir CHIOZZA MONEY

May I ask if advertisements have not been issued in which the whole of the economic advantages given to married men have been particularly printed in large type, and is not that an inducement to married men to join the Colours rather than single men?

Mr. TENNANT

I would say this: that advertisement or poster is an intimation to the recruit that in spite of the fact that he is married he will not be placed in a bad position on that account.

Sir CHIOZZA MONEY

Has the right hon. Gentleman formed any estimate of the cost of taking married men as recruits?

Mr. TENNANT

I think perhaps that ought to be addressed to either my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary or to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.