§ 111. Colonel DAYasked the Secretary of State for War the number of applications made during the last three years for discharges from the forces on the grounds that lads had made false statements as to age when enlisting; the number of free discharges allowed in such cases; and the average cost incurred to purchase the discharge of a trained, or partly trained, lad enlisting under age?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe number of applications is not recorded, but the number of recruits who were discharged on account of their age having been misstated on enlistment was as follows:
In these cases the recruits, having been found to be under 17 years of age, were given a free discharge. The sums required to purchase the discharge of a recruit or a trained soldier will be found in the pay warrant.
In 1922–23 … … … 711 In 1923–24 … … … 793 In 1924–25 … … … 560
§ Colonel DAYWill the Secretary of State for War consider the advisability of instructing the recruiting officers to insist upon birth certificates being produced in regard to this matter?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI understand that all necessary instructions have been given.