§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether any change has been made during the past year in the military regulations with regard to the wearing of shamrock by Irish soldiers on St. Patrick's Day, with a view to prevent punishment being inflicted on soldiers who may desire to wear the Irish National favour on that day; and, if so, whether he has any objection to say what these changes are, and whether they will come into operation on St. Patrick's Day next month?
§ MR. WYNDHAMIn accordance with the reply given to a Question put by the honourable Member on the 28th February last year, paragraph 1953 was introduced into the Queen's Regulations to the effect that no officer or soldier is to wear any unauthorised ornament or emblem when in uniform, unless expressly permitted by his superior officer to do so. All soldiers will therefore be aware that they must apply to their superior officer for permission.
§ CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)May I ask whether it will still be possible for soldiers to be given seven days' cells for wearing the shamrock?
§ MR. MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)As there are 21,000 Irish soldiers, will the honourable Gentleman have this answer printed and exhibited at every recruiting station in Ireland?
§ [No reply.]