HC Deb 30 July 1918 vol 109 cc213-4
10. Mr. P. A. HARRIS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether this country is putting men in the trenches at an earlier age than France or Italy?

15. Mr. G. LAMBERT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the age of the youngest soldiers sent to the fighting zone by the French, Italian, and British military authorities respectively?

Mr. MACPHERSON

In the case of France, the youngest class available for service in the trenches is the 1919 class. The average age of these men is just over nineteen years. In the case of Italy, lads of eighteen years of age were put in the trenches last year, and at present the 1900 class—lads of eighteen years of age—are under training. In the case of this country, as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister explained on the 9th April last, it was found necessary, owing to the emergency, that lads of eighteen and a half years of age who are sufficiently trained should be sent to France.

Mr. HARRIS

Am I to understand from that that as it was owing to an emergency now that the emergency has passed the Army Council and the Government are reconsidering their decision?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I cannot, of course, admit that the emergency is pasted, but I may assure the House and my hon. Friend that this matter receives the gravest consideration.

Mr. LAMBERT

Is the Army Council considering the opportunity, if it arises, of withdrawing these young lads of eighteen and a-half years from the fighting line?

Mr. MACPHERSON

Certainly.

Mr. HARRIS

Is not the fact that the French, who have many years' experience on this subject, do not send their young men until nineteen, a precedent to be followed, considering that the pressure is just as great on France as on England?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I cannot add to the answer I have given.