Oral Answers to Questions — British Army. – in the House of Commons at on 5 December 1939.
Brigadier-General Sir Ernest Makins
, Knutsford
asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will waive the rule that men discovered to be under 19 years of age in the British Expeditionary Force are to be sent home in cases where both the men themselves and the parents desire it?
Mr Leslie Hore-Belisha
, Plymouth, Devonport
Yes, Sir, but it must be understood that the decision of the men and of their parents in such cases is final.
Brigadier-General Sir Ernest Makins
, Knutsford
May I say what great satisfaction the reply of the right hon. Gentleman will give to these young men?
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
