HC Deb 20 March 1919 vol 113 c2270W
Viscount WOLMER

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the practice of the Army Council to sanction a soldier's official age being corrected to agree with his birth certificate for the purpose of determining his eligibility for re-enlistment into the post-bellum Army; whether the Army Council are cognisant of the fact that such decision gives to such men the possibility of evading the age clause laid down in Article 33 of the Pay Warrant, in the event of their names coming forward for promotion to commissioned rank in the capacity of quartermaster at some future date; and whether the Army Council are prepared to apply this decision to soldiers already serving on normal attestations whoso ages as recorded thereon differentiate from those shown in their birth certificates?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The answer to the first two parts of my Noble Friend's question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part of the question it is not intended, as a general practice, to apply the decision to soldiers already serving on normal attestations. The age as shown on a man's attestation is that to which he is liable to be held, and it is not proposed todepart from that rule, but if my Noble Friend will give me particulars of any specific cases he has in mind I shall be happy to have them considered.