§ 34. Mr. Lipsonasked the Secretary of State for War whether youths under 20 762 years of age are liable to be sent abroad; and whether those who have volunteered for service are treated differently in this matter from those conscripted?
§ The Financial Secretary to the War Office (Mr. Sandys)All soldiers of 19 years of age or over are liable to be drafted overseas, but so far none has been sent overseas under the age of 19½ No differentiation is made between volunteers and men called up under the National Service Acts.
§ Mr. LipsonIs the Financial Secretary aware that fathers of young men, many of whom served in the last war, are very concerned that their sons should not be sent overseas under 20, and, if my hon. Friend cannot place an embargo on these young men being sent overseas, will he give an assurance, when drafts are made, that every attempt will be made to see that men under 20 are not sent abroad?
§ Mr. SandysIt is not normal to send abroad men under 19½, but I do not know of any concern on this matter.