HC Deb 24 July 1930 vol 241 cc2402-3
74. Mr. EDE

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps have been taken to bring to the notice of recruiting officers and others concerned in the recruiting and attestation of men for the Army the alteration in the attestation form by which giving a false age on enlistment has become a punishable offence?

The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. T. Shaw)

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. A false answer on attestation has always been an offence under the Army Act but, as I explained in my answer on 22nd July, steps have recently been taken to amend the attestation form in such a way as to leave no doubt as to the serious nature of the offence of giving a false answer as to age. Circulars were issued to all concerned drawing attention to the alteration in the attestation forms.

Captain CAZALET

Have there been many instances in the past year of false ages being given?

Mr. SHAW

I think there has been a considerable number of cases in which boys have over-stated their age.