§ 6 Sir HERBERT NIELDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether, as His Majesty's Government has recognised the political independence of Poland as far back as May, 1917, he can inform the House if it is by arrangement with the National Polish Committee that Poles continue to be conscripted in this country and forced into labour battalions; whether such action is authorised by any convention or other act of the State; if not, by what authority has his Department informed the King's Bench 2474 Division of the High Court of Justice that these persons are still to be regarded as Russian subjects?
(2) Whether he is aware that resentment has been aroused by the persistence of the Ministry of National Service and of the military authorities in treating the subjects of Poland in this country as the subjects of Russia for the purpose of Conscription; whether, with a view to encourage feelings of amity and international good will, these men will be given the right to serve in combatant units, and will not be compelled to serve in labour battalions?
(3) The Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Polish subjects, the political independence of whose country was officially recognised as far back as May, 1917, are still being recruited compulsorily under the guise of Russian subjects and, instead of being permitted to join ordinary Infantry units, are being forced into labour battalions in the same manner as though they were incapable of any intelligent military service and were mere serfs; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
(4) The Minister of National Service whether he proposes to continue to press for compulsory enlistment of subjects of Poland, the independence of whose country has been officially recognised by His Majesty's Government as far back as May, 1917; whether he claims to conscript these men under any convention; if so, what; if he will state what the military value of these men is either as members of labour units or otherwise; and whether he will explain why money is spent in conscripting them and in endeavouring to insist upon the Courts regarding them as Russian subjects in view of the recognition of Poland's independence?
Mr. BALFOURI propose to answer together the four questions which the hon. Member has on the Paper with regard to Russian subjects of Polish origin, and would refer him to the replies returned to the hon. Member for North Somerset on 24th June last, and to the hon. Member for Perth on 29th July. I think that the military authorities must decide the corps in which such persons can be most usefully employed.