HC Deb 04 June 1918 vol 106 cc1383-4
8. Colonel SHARMAN-CRAWFORD

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Irishmen offering themselves voluntarily as recruits for the 36th (Ulster) or 16th (Irish) Divisions will be accepted for such service, subject to the exigencies of the campaign; and whether such recruits will be posted for training to the special reserve battalions of the regiments which supply drafts to those divisions?

Mr. MACPHERSON

Irishmen who enlist voluntarily for Irish regiments are posted to the regiments of their choice, provided there are vacancies in such units and that they fulfil the physical conditions laid down.

Colonel SHARMAN-CRAWFORD

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last part of my question. As he is aware, no doubt, there are no reserve battalions of Irish regiments left in Ireland at the present day. I want to in- clude the 10th Division in this, as well as the others, and what I want is that men from Belfast, Dublin, or Cork, should be sent over to their reserve battalions and allowed to join the battalions they wish to join.

Mr. MACPHERSON

That is a question of military administration which I should not like to answer straight off, but I think I meet the point raised in the question when I say that as far as possible we do try to send Irish troops to Irish regiments.

54. Mr. KING

asked what steps have been taken in connection with the new voluntary recruiting campaign for Ireland announced in the Proclamation; how many recruits have been forthcoming; how many is it expected will be obtained; and whether the Government is so far satisfied with the results of its new Irish recruiting policy?

The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Shortt)

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Proclamation issued by the Lord Lieutenant, and published in the Press this morning. It is not possible to make any statement at present as to the other matters mentioned in the question.

Mr. KING

Was that Proclamation issued this morning because this question was put down last Friday?

Mr. SHORTT

Certainly not!

Mr. PRINGLE

Are we to understand that the Government have now abandoned the policy of coercion and adopted a policy of bribery?

Mr. SHORTT

No, Sir; not at all!