§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the War Office will take any steps to establish Volunteer corps or rifle clubs in Ireland for the purpose of training in the use of arms the young men of that country, whose services are willingly accepted by the War Office, and have been so highly praised by Her Majesty the Queen.
§ *MR. WYNDHAMAs has been previously explained to the House, the establishment of Volunteer corps in Ireland is 23 a question of legislation. In regard to rifle clubs the Secretary of State is in correspondence with the Irish Government as to the conditions under which rifle clubs may be formed in Ireland.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIENWhat are the difficulties?
§ *MR. WYNDHAMAs I understand it, there is in force in Ireland an Act known as the Peace Preservation Act, which prohibits the formation of Volunteer corps. It is a question for the Irish Government whether the Act should be repealed.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIENThe Members for Ireland would give every facility for repealing it.