§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been directed to the Official Minutes of Lord Wolseley, dated 3rd November, 1897, contained in the Appendices to the Report Volume of the War Commission, p. 247, in which he stated that the War Office could not afford to explain in Parliament or make otherwise public, the fact that Irish Militia are brought to England to draw the teeth of possible rebellion; and whether, having regard to the different reasons already given by the War Office authorities relative to the transference of Irish Militia to this country, he has any, and, if so, what, explanation of Lord Wolseley's Minute.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERI understand that the opinion expressed by Lord Wolseley was a personal one, and I have no knowledge of the reasons which led him to entertain the view he expressed in 1897. I have no reason to believe that Irish soldiers will prove traitors to their King or false to their military oath. The admirable and faithful performance of their duty by Irishmen in the service of the Crown adds to the improbability of any such action. As a matter of 1311 fact, the great majority of the Irish Militia perform their training in Ireland.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLWill the right hon. Gentleman, in order to encourage enlistment, have this Memorandum of Lord Wolseley's placarded at every recruiting station in Ireland?
§ [No answer was returned.]