§ 53. Mr. BYRNEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the position of Irishmen temporarily resident in Great Britain under the new Registration Act; and whether it is proposed to use this registration for any form of military service at a later date?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Stephen Walsh)I have been asked to answer this question. The duty of registering under the new Act does not depend upon residence. The Act requires all male persons in Great Britain who have attained the age of fifteen years since 15th August, 1915, or who since that date have ceased to be members of His Majesty's Forces, to be registered. The National Service Department have access to the registers, but liability to military service does not depend upon registration. It is governed by the provisions of the Military Service Acts. It does not appear to me that Irishmen who have come to this country from Ireland since August, 1915, are liable to register themselves. If there is any doubt on the subject it can only be settled by a Court of Law.