§ 22. Mr. KINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that soldiers of the Colonial Forces on leave are now not allowed to visit Ireland, to the regret of these men and their Irish friends; whether he will explain the reasons for thus circumscribing the leave of soldiers who in many cases would visit their homes and help voluntary recruiting; and whether he can promise an early withdrawal of this restriction?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe granting of leave to soldiers of the Colonial contingents is a matter for the headquarters of the contingent concerned.
§ Mr. KINGAre we to understand that it is not the policy of the War Office to prevent these men going back, and that it is only a partial and local arrangement?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo; I cannot add anything to the answer I have given. As far as granting leave and the conditions of leave are concerned it must rest with the discretion of the headquarters of the contingent concerned.
§ Mr. KINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is one of the things which make people in Ireland belive that the War Office are trying in an underhand way to prevent voluntary recruiting?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe War Office has nothing to do with it.