§ 49. Mr. GINNELLasked the Prime Minister whether he has ascertained the number of workers, skilled and unskilled, deprived of employment in Dublin during the last six months to force them, as they believe, to enlist, and Englishmen of military age employed in their places; the extent to which employers were encouraged by the Irish Government to do this; and the extent to which this conduct contributed to the insurrection?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Department of recruiting is not aware that any workers, skilled or unskilled, have been dismissed from their employment in Ireland with a view to forcing them into His Majesty's Forces. Enlistment in His Majesty's Forces is purely voluntary in that country, and the policy of the Department has always been opposed to any such action as that imputed in the concluding portion of the question.
§ Mr. GINNELLHas the right hon. Gentleman not consulted any Irish Department but that of recruiting with reference to this question?
§ The PRIME MINISTEROh, yes, I have.