§ 10. Mr. KINGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the results of the voluntary recruiting campaign in Ireland, and whether the Government has now definitely abandoned the proposal to introduce military conscription into Ireland?
§ Mr. SHORTTUp to yesterday the number of persons who voluntarily recruited was 9,629. I am not in a position to make any statement with regard to the latter part of the question.
§ Mr. KINGDoes the second part of this answer mean that the Government is still quite without a policy on this subject?
§ Mr. PRINGLECan the right hon. Gentleman say when the Government are likely to be in a position to make a statement on military conscription in Ireland?
§ Mr. KINGArising out of the right hon. Gentleman's silence, is he aware of the great confusion caused in all questions by the inability of the Government to announce any definite, clear policy?
§ Mr. SHORTTNo, Sir.
Mr. HAZLETONArising out of this matter, if the Chief Secretary is not in a position to answer this question, perhaps the Leader of the House might?
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs he not in a position either?