§ Mr. THURTLEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state, in regard to the 364 boys under 15, the 989 under 16, the 278 under 17, and the 233 under 18 years of age, who were enlisted for normal engagement in 1921–22, the form in which the consent of the parents to enlistment was signified, how many of such cases at each age the Army Council, in accordance with Section 76 of the Army Act, regarded as special, and directed that the period of service of 12 years should be reckoned from the day on which the recruit attained the age of 18 years; in what form such condition was conveyed to the recruit and the parents; and whether this was done before or after attestation?
§ Mr. WALSHThe parents' consent to the enlistment of the boys and youths referred to is signified and witnessed on Army Form W. 5110. The Amendment to Section 76 of the Army Act, to which my hon. Friend refers, did not come into effective operation until June, 1923, so that the last part of the question does not arise.