§ 29. Sir J. LONSDALEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will give for each county in Ireland the number of men of military age at the outbreak of War, the number of recruits who have joined the forces since the commencement of the War, and the percentage of recruits to eligible men?
§ 36. Major NEWMANasked whether, while the expediency of extending the Military Service Act to Ireland is being considered, the Irish Government will institute a census and ascertain the number of civilians of military age at present in Ireland?
§ 38. Mr. MacCAWasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will grant a Return showing, as closely as his information will permit, the total number of unenlisted men eligible for military service in each county in Ireland at the present time, and also the total number of men who have enlisted in the Army in each county in Ireland from the commencement of the War up till the present time?
§ Mr. DUKEThe information which the Government has obtained from time to time with regard to recruiting in Ireland and the number of unenlisted men who are available for military service is being supplemented by answers to some additional inquiries, and, upon receipt of this further information, I hope to be in position to give definite replies to these question?
§ Sir J. LONSDALECan the right hon. Gentleman say when he hopes to receive that information? We have been many months discussing the question.
§ Mr. DUKEI could give my hon. Friend information up to a certain date within a few days, but I take it what he would desire to do is to have the completest in-formation possible. Questions are now before the proper authorities in Ireland for the purpose of being answered without any delay. As soon as answers are obtained the results shall be collated, and I shall then be prepared to answer any questions.
§ Sir E. CARSONIs the Lord Lieutenant in possession of complete statistics at the present time?
§ Mr. DUKEI have not seen the Lord Lieutenant for the past fortnight. Perhaps the right hon. and learned Gentleman, if he wants a specific answer to that question, will put it down.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEPerhaps the right hon. and learned Gentleman will allow me to put a question down next week?
§ Mr. GRAHAMDoes the right hon. Gentleman intend to take a census of Irish immigrants of military age in the United States?
§ Mr. DUKEI do not think that His Majesty's Government has any authority to take a census in the United States.
§ Mr. BYRNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that when this information was previously asked for the late Chief Secretary gave the number as 60,000; since then over 12,000 have joined the Colours?
63. Colonel CRAIGasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the inequality of sacrifice at present existing and the 188 depletion of historic Irish regiments, he will introduce a measure of compulsory military service for Ireland?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe question of recruiting for the Irish regiments and of Irish recruiting generally is engaging the serious attention of the Government, and we hope very shortly to make a statement on the subject.