§ 20. Mr. ROWLANDSasked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware that many of the recently called up men of the new military age are placed under non-commissioned officers less than half their own age; is he aware that this is causing resentment among the new recruits; and will the War Office endeavour to secure non-commissioned officers of more mature age for these new units?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONWhen the recent Military Service Act was passed, instructions were issued by the War Office that the non-commissioned officers required to train the men of the new military ages should be, as far as possible, men of similar ages. Every endeavour is being made to carry out these instructions, but unfortunately there is a limit to the number of older instructors available.
§ Mr. ROWLANDSWill the right hon. Gentleman call attention to the necessity of not having these younger officers giving instruction to the older men?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONWe are doing all we can to get instructors of the older ages to instruct these older men.