24. Major NEWMANasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the fact that the work of recruiting in Ireland is to be carried out by voluntary effort, it is proposed to dispense with the services of officers and non-commissioned officers who have hitherto undertaken the duty and to hand over the various recruiting offices to the local civilian recruiting committees which are being raised?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am afraid that my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion is not practicable. It is necessary to retain this personnel, which will continue to be responsible, as in the past, for the reception, enlistment, and posting of recruits.
§ 61. Mr. KINGasked the number of voluntary recruits who offered themselves in Ireland during the first week after Lord French's offer to such recruits of a share in their motherland?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Shortt)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The statistics of recruiting in Ireland are not recorded weekly, and I am not prepared to ask for a special return to be made out.
§ General McCALMONTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that figures were widely quoted that there had been something like 80 or 90 a day in the city and county of Dublin ten days ago, and will he see that such figures are not published in the Press if he will not publish any figures himself?