§ 78. Major NEWMANasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that of the 81,392 men on the National Register as of military age in the province of Con-naught less than 2 per cent. have joined up; and will he say if the Government have any proposal to put to the House with regard to recruiting in Ireland?
§ Mr. DILLONBefore the Prime Minister answers this question, may I ask whether his attention has been called to 1192 the fact that a very large number of men from the province of Connaught have enlisted in English regiments?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWith regard to the first part of the question my attention has been called to the fact that the percentage of men estimated to be available for military service who have joined the forces is nearer twenty than two per cent. With regard to the second part of the question I must refer ray hon. and gallant Friend to the answers given to the hon. and gallant Member for East Down.
§ Major NEWMANDoes the Prime Minister mean that twenty per cent. of the men available for military service on the National Register have joined up in Connaught?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe figure speak for themselves.
§ Mr. DILLONDo these figures include the very large number of Connaught men who have joined English regiments, and who are, according to my information, enrolled as English recruits?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, they are not included.
§ Mr. DEVLINCannot some better occupation be found for majors in the Army than asking questions reflecting upon their own countrymen?