§ 44. Sir J. LONSDALEasked whether, with reference to the announcement that Irish recruits will, as far as possible, be posted in the first instance to the Irish Regular battalions in preference to the Irish Service battalions which have been raised during the War, he will give an assurance that no recruits raised specifically for the battalions comprising the Ulster Division will be posted to Regular battalions not included in that Division?
§ Mr. FORSTERThis is done as far as possible, but I cannot give the general assurance which the hon. Member requests. The hon. Member will realise the necessity for keeping up the Regular Irish battalions.
§ Colonel J. CRAIGMay I ask whether a man who desires to enlist voluntarily and expresses a desire to join one of the units of the Ulster Division will be allowed to do so?
§ Mr. FORSTERAs far as possible, but I am afraid that I cannot give a guarantee.
§ Colonel CRAIGDoes the hon. Gentleman not see that if some arrangement of this sort is not made it will prejudice recruiting very much in Ulster?
§ Mr. FORSTERYes; I think we may say that we are very fully alive to the difficulty, and I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that I should only be too glad to give him the guarantee if I could.