§ 41. Mr. Skeffington-Lodgeasked the Secretary of State for War whether, owing to the difficulties of life in Germany at the present time, he will reconsider the decision to send immature conscript soldiers to that country.
§ 81. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Secretary of State for War what steps are taken to secure the moral welfare of new recruits; and whether he is satisfied with the present arrangements.
§ Mr. M. StewartIf it were possible, my right hon. Friend would be only too glad to raise the age limit at which soldiers, whether Regulars or National Service men, may be posted to Rhine Army, but he regrets that this cannot be done, because there are not sufficient older men available to meet the Army's commitments overseas. I should, however, like to assure my hon. Friends that everything possible is being done to increase the young soldier's power of resistance against the temptations he encounters in Germany. Chaplains, teachers, doctors and welfare officers are working in close collaboration, not only to instruct the soldier, but also to provide him with a large variety of healthful and instructive kinds of occupation in his leisure hours. Steps are also taken to prepare the young soldier before he goes overseas against the dangers he is likely to encounter.
§ Mr. LipsonCan the Minister tell us the number of chaplains and others responsible for the healthy recreational facilities for soldiers, and has the number been increased recently, because the information I have is that the number is inadequate for their very responsible duties?
§ Mr. StewartThe number is about to be increased in the very near future.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesDo the chaplains instruct the soldiers in the doctrine "Thou shalt not kill"?