§ 22. Mr. GINNELLasked the President of the Local Government Board, whether any instruction has ever been issued to tribunals to carry out the Ministerial promise that Irish migratory labourers would not be subject to the Military Service Act, 1916; and, if so, will he explain why that ground of exemption was disallowed in the case of Michael M'Loughlin, of Derreen, Achill Sound, county Mayo, who went to Scotland last June as a temporary labourer and is now supposed to be imprisoned at Stirling for having refused to become a soldier?
§ Mr. TENNANTMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The tribunals are well aware of the position of the Irish migratory labourers in reference to the Military Service Act. The hon. Member apparently has no definite information that Michael M'Loughlin is imprisoned, and on the strength merely of a surmise I do not feel called upon to ask for a report.
§ Mr. GINNELLWhere is this man if he is not in gaol?
§ Mr. TENNANTlam afraid I am unable to give the hon. Member that information.