§ Mr. LAWSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether Private James Green, No. 333,069, Royal Air Force, Andover, is being detained in the Army, although he is not 18 years of age; whether his parents' request for his release has been refused in spite of the fact that there are compassionate grounds for consideration; and whether he intends to continue to retain boys under the age of 18 years against the desire of their parents?
§ Major TRYONI have been asked to reply to this question. It is not the fact that an application for the release of this airman has been refused. On the contrary, orders have already been issued for his discharge from the Royal Air Force on compassionate grounds, providing that he is willing to be so discharged. The statement made by this airman that his age, when he enlisted in August, 1919, was nineteen years two months does not bear out the information given to the hon. Member that he is not yet eighteen years of age. As regards the last part of the question, the Regulations provide that boys under eighteen shall not be enlisted in the Royal Air Force without the written consent of their parents.