HC Deb 01 August 1916 vol 85 cc13-5
22. Mr. WATT

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Private W, H. Dalziel, No. 4721, Highland Light Infantry, 1/9th, who, although only I7¼ years of age, has been sent to France and to the trenches, and has been refused leave to return to this country, the commanding officer at the end of June writing that he had no authority to send home youths of that age; that on 15th July he was wounded in the thigh and taken to hospital at Rouen; that they there refused to send him home and informed him that he would be sent again to the trenches in a few weeks; and, if so, will he see that promises made in the House with reference to boys under eighteen are fulfilled in this case?

Mr. FORSTER

My Noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State has already informed my hon. Friend that this case will be dealt with under the recently issued instructions which have been referred to in this House. Instructions have been given to the officer in charge of records in this sense.

Sir A. MARKHAM

Why has the War Office Order of 13th June not been observed? Only this morning I have heard from Glasgow that a boy under eighteen was shot last week whose parents had applied for his discharge over a month ago.

Mr. FORSTER

I am very sorry; I have not heard of it. We are doing what we can to see that the instructions are observed.

Mr. PRINGLE

How long does it take an instruction to reach the proper authority?

Mr. FORSTER

My hon. Friend will see that depends upon where the authorities are.

Mr. WATT

Will these boys be sent home—Yes, or No?

Mr. FORSTER

My impression is that a youth over seventeen years of age serving in France may be Bent home if he is willing to come. If he is not willing he will be sent to the Training Corps at the base, and at any rate will be kept out of the firing line.

Sir A. MARKHAM

Is not the hon. Gentleman mistaken, and that under the Regulation a boy under the age of eighteen at the Front is sent home, and a boy between eighteen and nineteen is sent to the base?

Mr. FORSTER

I do not think so. I think it is my hon. Friend who is mistaken.

Mr. JOWETT

Has not the birth certificate been sent each time, in as many as three applications?

Mr. FORSTER

I do not know whether it was sent.

Mr. JOWETT

It was sent on each occasion.

Mr. WATT

Is it the superior officer who asks the boy to remain in France?

Mr. FORSTER

I think that is so.

Mr. CHANCELLOR

Has the War Office any control over officers?