§ 26. Mr. P. A. HARRISasked the Minister of National Service what is the age limit for military service in France, Belgium, Italy, and America, respectively?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The military service age in France is normally twenty to forty-eight years of age. On 29th March last, Parliamentary sanction was obtained for calling up the 1919 class, i.e., those who attain the age of nineteen during this year. Men who were called up at the age of forty-eight in 1914 have not yet been released, so that some men of fifty-two are still serving. As regards Belgium, all Belgians born after the 30th June, 1876, and before the 1st January, 1899, are liable for service during the War. Volunteers possessing the necessary qualifications are allowed to enlist, for the duration of the War, between the ages of sixteen and forty-five years. The military service age in Italy is normally twenty to thirty-nine years of age. It has now been extended and covers the period between eighteen and forty-four years of age. In America all classes of men between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-one inclusive are subject to Conscription. Conscrip- 20 tion is selective, and men are selected for any class of work for which they may be deemed most suitable.
§ Mr. WATTIs it the case that British soldiers of eighteen and a half years of age have recently been sent to France, and has that Parliamentary sanction?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is another question, and docs not arise out of this.