37. Major NEWMANasked whether the enlistment of men of British birth in Ireland under the terms of the Military Service Act has now begun; will he say what datum line of residence in Ireland releases a man from the obligations of the Act; how many men does he reckon he will obtain by this compulsory enlistment of British born; and will he say if the numbers so obtained will count towards the 50,000 Irish exempt from the Act which are expected as voluntary enlistments by next autumn?
§ Mr. BECKArrangements have been made, and will shortly take effect, for securing for miltary service those men who have gone to Ireland from Great Britain to evade their military obligations. It is obviously undesirable to give particulars prematurely of the steps which are being taken. I am unable to give an estimate of the number of men who will be obtained for service, but the men so obtained will not count towards the 50,000 Irishmen who, it is hoped, will be obtained by voluntary enlistment.
§ Mr. BECKI do not think it is a question of the datum line of residence. It is a question of those legally bound by the Military Service Act passed in this country.
§ Mr. BILLINGWas the National Service Department consulted by the Government before this new Irish rule was instituted?