§ 17. Mr. KINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether United States citizens of military age in this country are under orders, are desired, or are expected to return to America to do military service there; whether British subjects in the United States are being called to register for military service there; if so, whether Irishmen in the United States are differently treated from British subjects with domicile in the United Kingdom; and whether any convention with the United States relating to the conscription or registration of men for military service has been or will be concluded?
§ Lord R. CECILI have no information with regard to the first part of the question As to the second part, the hon. Member is no doubt aware that the United States Congress recently passed an Act permitting the Governments of the Allies to recruit their nationals on the soil of the United States. In virtue of this Act, a British Commission is at present carrying on a voluntary recruiting campaign among British subjects in the United States. Irishmen in the United States are of course at liberty to enlist in the British Army if they wish to do so. No convention with the United States of the kind referred to in the last part of the question has yet been concluded. I cannot at present say whether one will be concluded.