Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that W. Young, No. 350,982, AC2, was taken into the Army on the 12th day of January, 1922, when only 17 years of age; that his father sent on his birth certificate asking that his son should be discharged on the 2539W ground that he was not of enlistable age; that the father has been told that he can have his son if he is prepared to pay £20 for his discharge; and that this man is unemployed and cannot find the money; and whether, in view of the fact that the parents' consent had not been given, he will discharge this boy from the Army?
Captain GUESTI have been asked to reply. The facts are as stated, but, under the regulations, misstatement of age is not a ground for discharge, which can only be allowed in such a case on payment of £20, or, in exceptional cases, without payment on compassionate grounds. If the airman's father will furnish full particulars of the reasons for which he applies for the discharge, the case will be carefully investigated, with a view to determining whether it can be dealt with on compassionate grounds.