§ 26. Mr. BYRNEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will cause inquiries to be made into the case of Private Thomas Tynam, C Company, 11th platoon, 2/8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Taverham Camp, Norfolk; if this man for the time he was in Great Britain engaged in work of national importance and that his ordinary residence was in Dublin; if he will order this man's discharge; if he will issue instructions that would prevent recruiting officers interfering with Irishmen who were induced to leave Ireland to perform work of national importance; and if this man was rejected medically unfit before leaving Dublin?
§ Mr. FORSTERInquiries have been made into the facts of this case, and it has been ascertained that Tynam, or Lynam, was living in Glasgow, and registered there under the National Registration Act on the 4th December, 1915. He was called up to report for service with the Colours on the 18th April, 1916, the calling up notice being returned marked, "Not found." The police were subsequently requested to make inquiries, and reported that they were unable to trace Lynam, and in August, 1916, Lynam's name and description were sent to the Editor of the "Police Gazette," as a result of which he was traced and advised by the police to report to the recruiting officer at Glasgow. Lynam reported to the recruiting officer on the 7th September, 1916, and was medically examined and classified as temporarily unfit for a period of three months. On reporting to the recruiting officer he made no claim to be an Irishman not ordinarily resident in Great Britain, or to have been previously rejected for military service. At the expiration of three months Lynam was again called up for medical examination and was re-examined and passed as fit for garrison duty abroad (B1), but he was not then posted to a unit. On the 14th May, 1917, Lynam was called 686 up to report for service with the Colours, and reported in accordance with the notice and was posted to the 2/8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and is at present stationed at Taverham Camp, Norfolk. The recruiting officer at Glasgow reports that although Lynam reported at the recruiting office on no fewer than three occasions, on no occasion did he claim to be excepted from the liability to military service as an Irishman who was not ordinarily resident in Great Britain, nor did he state that he had been rejected for service or produce any evidence of such rejection, and in these circumstances the recruiting officer would appear to have been perfectly justified in posting Lynam to a unit. Inquiries are being made with respect to the statement that Lynam offered himsef for enlistment in Dublin and was rejected on medical grounds.