§ 43. Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Under-Secretary for War if he is aware that Private William Alexander Marsh, No. 8,311, 6th Battalion, the Buffs, who enlisted at Folkestone in September, 1915, giving his age as nineteen years, was in fact under eighteen years of age and only attained the age of eighteen on the 6th of April last, and that he enlisted in the absence from home of his mother and without her consent, and is now serving in France; and whether, in view of the fact that Private Marsh is his mother's sole means of support, he will give instructions for him to be transferred to a unit at home until he attains military age?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am not, of course, acquainted with the circumstances of this case. I would, however, remark that the mother of Private Marsh would not be pecuniarily any better off if her son were serving at home instead of in France.
§ Mr. McNEILLWill the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that he will have this young man retained for Home service until he reaches military age?
§ Sir H. CRAIKIs it not proper that this young man's own wish should be consulted rather than that of his mother?
§ Mr. TENNANTOf course, there might be a conflict between the two. I cannot give an undertaking of the kind suggested by the hon. Member (Mr. McNeill). I will investigate the case. I cannot say more.
§ Mr. McNEILLWill the right hon. Gentleman do his best to see that this young man is brought back without making a definite pledge that he will do so, and will he obtain the information more rapidly than he did in a similar case, which took him ten weeks, recently?
§ Mr. TENNANTI cannot really promise that it will not take ten weeks in this case. We have to refer all such cases abroad to the Commander-in-Chief through the Brigade, Division, and Army Corps. You cannot have these things done in ten minutes.