§ 35. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if Army Council Instruction No. 1,90.}. of 1916, entirely supersedes Army Instruction No. 1,186, of 1916, and if soldiers under seventeen and eighteen years of age are no longer entitled to be treated under the conditions laid down in the earlier instruction; and will he say what is the meaning of the posting of soldiers under eighteen and a half years of age to particular divisions, and if soldiers under this age are now retained in the Army?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONArmy Council Instruction 1,905 supersedes 1,186 from the date on which it came into force. Underage soldiers who have been transferred to the Reserve under Instruction 1,186 are called up under its provisions and then come under the provisions of Instruction 1,905. The posting of men to particular divisions is designed to secure that a man shall serve with those of his own nationality, as far as possible. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative, but soldiers under seventeen are given the option of enrolling as Army Reserve munition workers.