§ Mr. Lipsonasked the Secretary of State for War what is the minimum period of training required before youths under 19 years of age are sent overseas to take part in the invasion of Europe.
§ Sir J. GriggThe minimum period of training, to be undertaken before soldiers are considered as available for drafting to the Army in France, varies with the arm of the Service to which the soldier belongs. The length of training is naturally shorter for those whose military duties are akin to their civil employment and who have not to learn to use complicated weapons. The minimum period of training thus varies from slightly less than three months to about six months. Men are not drafted until they are passed as fully trained in their arm, i.e., the period given above may be extended. Even though fully trained, men are not available for drafting unless they are 18½ years of age.