§ 9. Mr. P. A. HARRISasked the Under-secretary of State for War whether he is 180 aware of the feeling throughout the country against sending overseas lads under nineteen; whether, now that there is a prospect of large contingents from America arriving in Europe, he can hold out a prospect of lads not now being required to go overseas under nineteen; and whether instructions can be given for lads under nineteen now overseas to be employed on work behind the lines?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on the 25th April last to a question by my right hon. Friend the Member for Derby.
§ Mr. HARRISWill the hon. Gentleman reconsider the position of these younger men at a later date as far as possible, and see if the Army Council cannot revert to the former practice?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI can assure my hon. Friend that the Army Council regretted greatly having to depart from the former practice, and when the national emergency has gone I hope that they will be able to revert to the old practice.