§ 20. Mr. RENDALLasked whether H. Parsons, late 5/1st Bedford Regiment, has been transferred to the 7th Northants and sent abroad, although not yet eighteen and a half, and, if so, why; will he be at once returned to England; whether he volunteered for, and was claimed by his brother for, the Royal Garrison Artillery, and has not yet been transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery; and, if so, will he say why?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONInquiries have been made, and it has been ascertained that this man was eighteen and a half years of age on the 13th March, 1918, so he was included in a draft in compliance with the instructions issued to meet the present emergency. There is no trace of an application for his transfer to the Royal Garrison Artillery, but if an application had been received it would not have been sanctioned, as all such transfers are in abeyance for the period of the War.
§ Mr. RENDALLIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the information given as to the age of this young man is incorrect, and that he is not eighteen and a half years of age now?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have no doubt that the age supplied was taken from his papers.
Colonel THORNEIs it not a fact that a good many young men have been sent over to France before they were eighteen and a half years of age?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONYes. I answered that question fully yesterday. The national emergency has been very great, indeed, but we have guaranteed that as far possible no man of eighteen and a half years of age shall be sent abroad, unless he is physically fit and well-trained.