§ 75. Mr. P. A. HARRISasked the Undersecretary of State for War whether the youths of eighteen and a half called to the Colours are the equivalent of the French 699 1920 Class; whether the French have yet put into the trenches their 1920 Class; what is the age at which the Americans are calling men to the Colours; and whether the Army Council is prepared to revert to the former practice and not send men overseas until they reach the age of nineteen, now that such large reinforcements have arrived from America?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe French 1920 Class consists of all youths whose eighteenth birthday occurs during 1918, and I understand that no lads of this class have yet been put into the trenches. The minimum age for service in the United States Army is twenty-one years. As regards the last part of my hon. Friend's question, I regret that the circumstances do not admit at present of any alteration in the existing conditions under which men are drafted overseas.
§ Mr. HARRISIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very strong feeling about this matter in the country, and will he give some indication that these men shall not be put into the front line even if they go to France and are employed on the lines of communications?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI regret to say that I can give no such undertaking, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the speech which the Prime Minister made on 9th April last.