§ 54. Mr. THURTLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of boys under 17 who have been recruited into the Royal Air Force for the six months ending 30th June, 1924; and whether any of these boys are being, or will be, trained for service on bombing aeroplanes?
§ Mr. LEACHThe answer to the first part of the question is that 645 boys of the age of 17, or under at date of attestation, were recruited for the Royal Air Force during the period referred to, but 14 of these have since been discharged. In reply to the second part of the question, none of these boys are under training as pilots, and it is impossible to foresee whether any, and if so, how many, will eventually be employed for aerial work in bombing squadrons.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYHow many chaplains are there for the instruction of these boys?
§ Lieut.-Colonel JAMESWhen these boys reach the stage of pilots are they instructed in the art of throwing leaflets?