§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been directed to a lithographed circular, dated 3rd March, 1894, signed by Major Gerard, Recruiting Staff Officer for Dublin, and sent to business firms in Dublin asking them to advise any respectable young man between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five who may apply to them for work which they cannot give them, or whom these firms may dismiss for any reason other than misconduct or physical inability, to join the Army, with the promise of situations on leaving the Army; whether this circular was issued on the initiative, direct or indirect, of the War Office authorities, and whether it meets with the sanction of those authorities; and what explanation, if any, has the War Office to give for the issue of this circular.
§ * MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERI have seen the circular in question, which is signed by Major Luard, and which appears to be a very proper one. The document contains no promise, as alleged in the Question, of situations on leaving the service, but expresses a hope of, in future, being able to thoroughly recommend men when leaving the service for situations in firms such as the firm in question. I must point out to the hon. Member that recruiting officers carry out their duties under the orders of the General Officer Commanding without reference to the War Office.