4. Mr. J. J. Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make a statement with regard to youths of 18 and 19 years of age, indicating the position with regard to overseas service?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaIt is not the policy to send overseas any man already serving until he has reached the age of 19, and it is not the present intention to call up men under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act to go overseas below the age of 20.
Mr. DavidsonFor the sake of clarification may I ask whether the answer of the right hon. Gentleman means that a boy of 19 years of age who joined the Service voluntarily and was in his unit when the war was declared, is competent to go overseas and is being sent overseas?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaYes, Sir.
§ Mr. A. V. AlexanderIs it not a fact that in some cases commanding officers are subalterns of 19?
§ Mr. A. ReedWhat is the position of a young fellow of 18 who joined the Territorials before the war and has now been sent overseas?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaHe will come back.
Mr. DavidsonDoes this state of affairs coincide with the right hon. Gentleman's definite promise to the House when we discussed this position, and does he think it right that young men of 19 should be sent overseas when other classes will not be sent until they are 20?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThis meticulously follows what I promised to the House, 1183 as the hon. Member will see from the Debate.