HC Deb 12 November 1934 vol 293 cc1514-5
37. Lieut.-Commander AGNEW (for Mr. PETHERICK)

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office with regard to the practice in cases where the age given at the time of enlistment of a recruit in His Majesty's Army is afterwards found on reference to the birth certificate to be incorrect, owing to a genuine error on the part of the recruit, whether the instruction laid down by the Army Council is still enforced; and, if so, whether he will take steps to have the instruction altered?

Mr. HACKING

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to recruits enlisting as men for whose discharge an application is made and who are proved by their birth certificates to have, on enlistment, misstated their real age and to be either under 17 or between 17 and 18 years of age. In the former case a free discharge is allowed if it is applied for before the recruite reaches the age of 17, and in the latter case, when there are special compassionate grounds. I see no reason for altering the regulations on this point.

Mr. LOGAN

Am I to understand that it is now to be put into practice by the War Office? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a short time ago the same question was put and the reply was that it could not be agreed to?

Mr. HACKING

It is not a question of putting it into practice. It is the existing practice.

Mr. LOGAN

Am I to understand that in a case which I brought to the notice of the War Office, where it was not put into practice, the boy will be released?

Mr. HACKING

Certainly. If we have information before the youth reaches the age of 17, he will be discharged.

Mr. THORNE

Has the recruiting officer to get the permission of the parents before the youth is properly taken?

Mr. HACKING

No, Sir. The position is that it is an offence for a youth to give the wrong age, and every precaution is taken by the recruiting officer to ascertain, as far as he can, that the age is correct. If it can be discovered that the youth is under 17 years of age and that fact is found out before he reaches the age of 17, he is discharged.

Mr. THORNE

Would not the recruiting officer be able to find out the proper age if it were obligatory on the parents to give permission?

Mr. HACKING

That is a very delicate matter and there are various reasons which would make the practice undesirable. For instance, if a birth certificate had to be provided, some of these youths who are illegitimate might have their future careers spoilt by being prevented from going into the Army.

Mr. LOGAN

I have recently paid out £20 in regard to a case. Will the Army authorities return my £20? I brought a certificate proving the age of the boy. Am I to understand that I can get my £20 back now?