MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State 911 for War, will he explain in what manner Irish Militia regiments who are stated to have volunteered for the Cape offered such service; whether the men were individually consulted by their commanding officer; and whether any opportunity was subsequently afforded to them of reconsidering their decision.
§ * MR. WYNDHAMThe mode of calling on Militia units for service abroad has been left to the commanding officers, who have received explicit orders to allow no pressure to be put on the men. It has been usual in the case of embodied units to ask the men on parade, in the case of disembodied units to send to each individual a reply-paid postcard. In all cases an opportunity is given to the men of reconsidering their decisions. The general officer, or an officer deputed by him, inspects the unit on parade before its departure and asks any man who does not volunteer to step out of the ranks and say so. Of this opportunity a few men have taken advantage.