77. Captain CRAIGasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the circulation in Dublin and Cork of a leaflet issued by the Vigilance Committee warning Irishmen against joining the Navy on the grounds that it is the most immoral Navy in the world; and whether he proposes to take any action in regard to it?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)I must refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary for Ireland to the hon. Member for Ludlow on Thursday last.
§ Mr. NEWMANAs far as Cork goes, has this distribution about the Navy only occurred the other day?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAMy right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary stated we are endeavouring by the best means we can to identify the offensive document. I observe that when it was published in the "Times" the correspondent added that "The identity of the 'Vigilance Committee' which is mentioned in the circular is obscure."
Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has heard the suggestion commonly and frequently made that these documents are prepared by a branch of the Unionist party?
§ Mr. RONALD M'NEILLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he would care to see a copy of the leaflet in order to examine it?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have read the extract from the "Times."