§ 20. Mr. WHITELEYasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the military authorities are approaching boards of guardians with a view to securing lads between 14 and 15 years of age for military service; whether he will state the conditions of service these lads will be called upon to perform; and under what regulation the officers of his Department have the power to recruit lads of these ages?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Major Attlee)I am not specially aware that recruiting officers have approached hoards of guardians, but all recruiting officers have general instructions to bring to the notice of authorities concerned in the welfare of boys the scheme for enlisting boys and training them as tradesmen. Such enlistment is, of course, voluntary on the boy's part, and the consent of his parent or guardian is also required. The boys are enlisted for as long as may be necessary to give them 12 years' service from the date of attaining 18 years of age; for instance, a boy enlisted at 16 would serve for two years to 18, and for 12 years more, or 14 years in all, four years of which might be spent in the Army Reserve. The authority is Section 76 of the Army Act, and the Recruiting Regulations. I am sending the hon. Member a paper stating the conditions of service in further detail.
§ Mr. AYLESWhen boys enlist or offer themselves for enlistment, is a birth certificate required, seeing that it is practically certain that they enlist under age
§ Mr. THURTLEDo these youths of 15 really understand the obligations they enter into on enlistment?