13. Major NEWMANasked the Undersecretary of State for War whether the amount of the recruiting reward which is to be paid for each recruit obtained in Ireland under the recent voluntary recruiting scheme has been settled; and have arrangements been come to between the War Office and the Irish Government as to who actually is to get the money, whether the officials appointed by the Irish Government or the present, staff engaged on the work of recruiting?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe details of the new voluntary recruiting scheme in Ireland are still a matter of consideration between the civil and military authorities in Ireland, and no doubt the question of the payment of rewards for recruits obtained is one of the points receiving consideration.
§ Mr. PRINGLECan the right hon. Gentleman say when this recruiting scheme is actually to be put into operation?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI believe it is being started now.
§ Mr. KINGMay we know exactly what Department or Departments it is that is responsible—is it the National Service Ministry or the Irish Office?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIt is neither.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI do not think so; but I will make inquiries.
§ Mr. PRINGLEAre we to understand that recruiting in Ireland is being left in the hands of the War Office on account of the success with which it dealt with recruiting in Ireland in 1915?
37. Colonel Sir JOHN HOPEasked the Minister of National Service what provisional arrangements he has already made for applying the Military Service (No. 2) Act, 1918, to Ireland in the event of the equitable ratio of recruits from Ireland not being obtained under the voluntary scheme; and if, considering the arrangements which he has already made, he can estimate the period which must still elapse between any final decision of the Government to apply the Military Service Act to 1558 Ireland and the actual posting to units of the first Irish recruits under a compulsory system?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of NATIONAL SERVICE (Mr. Beck)In view of the decision of the Government that Ireland should be asked to obtain a certain quota of recruits by voluntary enlistment, the application of the Military Service Acts to Ireland has been postponed. In the meantime no useful purpose will be served by stating what arrangements have been or will be made for the application of the Military Service Acts to Ireland in the event of the voluntary enlistment not providing the required number of recruits.
Sir J. HOPEHave any steps been taken to reduce the period which the Prime Minister said, on the 9th of April, it would take to apply the Military Service Act to Ireland?
Sir F. HALLWhat hopes have the Government of raising 50,000 men in Ireland between now and the 1st of October?
§ Mr. PRINGLEAre we to understand that the Department of National Service have nothing to do with recruiting in Ireland? If it has, cannot the hon. Gentleman tell us whether the necessary preliminary steps, which are bound to take some time, are being taken by the Government, in view of the possibility of the failure of voluntary efforts?