HC Deb 09 May 1916 vol 82 c441
14. Mr. GOLDSTONE

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether there are men in the 23rd Provisional Battalion D.R.G.A., at Clacton-on-Sea, who enrolled as members of the National Reserve, and whose ages range from forty to sixty years; whether, in the case of the older men, it is expected that they shall undertake duties and drill similar to those performed by men of normal military age; and, if so, whether any relaxation is proposed in the case of men who, by reason of age, are unfit for the physical strain imposed upon younger men?

Mr. TENNANT

I would refer my hon. Friend to the full answer I gave yesterday on this matter in reply to the hon. Member for Grimsby. In supplement to what I then said, I would add that I think my hon. Friend must be mistaken in saying that men of sixty are serving in this battalion. Under the Regulations no man could be accepted for the supernumerary companies who was over fifty. But if my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind and will send me the details I will have inquiry made.