§ Mr. HAVILAND-BURKEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that John Summers, of Tullamore, enlisted in the Irish Guards as No. 3228 when he was only 17 years of age; that his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Somers, of Barrack-street, Tullamore, wrote to the adjutant at the Guards depot at Caterham, asking for the discharge of her son on the grounds that he had enlisted when under legal age, and that his service at home was urgently needed to maintain a business on which his family depended, and to which his father was no longer able to attend sufficiently owing to advancing age and infirmity; whether he is aware that she presented a memorial to this effect, signed by the rector and parish priest and three magistrates of Tullamore; and that, having been officially asked on 8th March, 1909, to forward the birth certificate of her said son, John Somers, she did so, and was merely told in reply that the major-general commanding the London District did not approve of a free discharge being granted to her son, no fault being found with the certificate; and whether he will order inquiries to be made in this case?
§ Mr. HALDANEThis man enlisted in the Irish Guards, giving his age as 18 years four months. On receipt of his mother's claim for his discharge it was found on inquiry that his age was 17 years five months. As the man was desirous of continuing in the Service, and as it was found that no change had taken place in the parents' circumstances since his enlistment, he was held to serve by the General Officer Commanding London District. The action of the General Officer Commanding is in accordance with the Regulations. No memorial was received as was stated in the question.