§ CAPTAIN CRAIG (Down, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can now give detailed information as to the intentions of the Government respecting the amalgamation or disbandment of certain Irish Militia battalions of Infantry, the future of their men and officers, the disposal of Irish Militia battalions of Artillery, the status of the North of Ireland and South of Ireland Imperial Yeomanry and the payment of the men and officers; and whether county associations are to be formed in Ireland as is proposed for England and Scotland; and, if so, can he outline their functions.
§ MR. HALDANEThe Irish Militia and Yeomanry will come under Part III. 145 of the Territorial and Reserve Forces Bill; the officers will pass into the reserve of officers while the men will form part of the special reserve. County associations will not, for the present, be formed in Ireland. With regard to the detailed information asked for by the hon. and gallant Member regarding the future military organisation in Ireland, it is not practicable to deal with it adequately within the limits of an Answer to a Question.
§ CAPTAIN CRAIGCannot the right hon. Gentleman give any details as to the Irish battalions to be done away with and those to be retained? Is he aware that Commanding Officers of Militia battalions in Ireland at present find it exceedingly difficult to recruit young subalterns owing to the uncertainty of the future of the force?
§ MR. HALDANEsaid an opportunity would probably occur that evening to give the House the information.
§ MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)Where are the South of Ireland Imperial Yeomanry? As a Southern man I never saw any.
§ [No Answer was returned.]