§ Captain DOUGLAS HALLasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that Boy J. Mantle, No. 2312, late 2nd Hants Regiment, Newport, Isle of Wight, enlisted at the depot on the 2nd February, 1915, as a boy and gave his correct age, and was transferred to B Company, 2/8th Hants, on the 5th March, 1915, and appeared in Part 11, battalion orders of the 5th March, 1915, as being taken on the strength of the battalion as a boy, and drew boy's pay of 8d. a day and kit allowance, less allotment, during this period; and that he was discharged on the 1340W 18th August, 1916, under an Army Order as being under age, with about a week's pay, and was informed by the regimental paymaster at Exeter, on 27th September, 1916, that he was not entitled to any allowance in lieu of civilian clothing, or any gratuity, as he was discharged under Paragraph 392, xv. la, of the King's Regulations; and whether, seeing that under Paragraph 125 of the King's Regulations for the clothing of the Territorial Forces during the War it is stated that all soldiers except those discharged for misconduct, recruits of less than three months' service, and non-commissioned officers and men discharged on appointment to commissions in His Majesty's Forces, will receive on discharge a suit of plain clothes, including cap and neckerchief or, if already in possession of plain clothes, a sum of 17s. 7d. in lieu; and that Paragraph 126 states that, even if a man is discharged for misconduct and he does not possess them, and is without funds, he will be issued a suit of plain clothes on discharge; and that Mantle was properly enlisted as a boy, and was shown as such in battalion orders, and that he served eighteen months and was discharged by order of the Army Council, and that the boy made no mis-statement on entering the Army or upon his discharge, he will explain why he is refused the allowance for clothes which he claims?
§ Mr. FORSTERInquiry is being made, and my hon. and gallant Friend will be informed of the result.