§ 39. Major NEWMANasked the Chief Secretary whether he has had the opportunity of studying the figures of manpower available in Ireland for military service as furnished by the Registrar-General, showing that, of 514,606 men of military age, 107,492 are estimated as physically unfit and 245,875 as indispensable; whether the Registrar-General has considered as indispensable for the working of the many thousands of small holdings in Ireland the owner and, in addition, one-half of the men of military age working on these holdings, together with all men of military age engaged on railways, iron and steel, and similar industries; and whether he is prepared to make any statement on the subject?
§ Mr. DUKEThe estimated number of unfit is 40 per cent. of the remainder left after deducting from the number of men of military age those who are indispensable and those who have joined His Majesty's Forces since the date of the National Register. As regards the calculation of indispensable workers, I would refer to the answer I have given to the question of the hon. Member for North Galway.
§ Major NEWMANFrom the right hon. Gentleman's acquaintance with Ireland, does he think that one man out of five of military age in Ireland is medically unfit?
42. Mr. HAZLETONasked the Chief Secretary whether the Irish Registrar-General has taken any account in the Command Paper regarding men of military age in Ireland of the number of men of military age who have been lost to Ireland through emigration; whether the present number of these is over 128,000; and whether this drain on the recuperative power of Ireland has been allowed for in estimating the number of men Ireland can still spire for the Army?
§ Mr. DUKENo, Sir. The only deductions and allowances made in arriving at the estimated figures in the Return are-those stated on the face of the Return.
§ 74. Mr. MACMASTERasked the Prime Minister if all precautions are now being taken to ensure that the full strength of the nation in man-power, munitions, and transport is now being developed, and that this month and the succeeding winter months will be devoted to the training and equipping of our more recent additions to armed forces, so that we may not he unready or too late when the early spring campaign opens?
§ The SECRETARY OF STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Bonar Law)Yes, Sir; I can assure my hon. and learned Friend that the steps he names are being taken.