§ 26. Major O'NEILLasked the Secretary of State for War what priority in the extended scheme of demobilisation is given to Irish soldiers who volunteered for service after 1st January, 1916?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe Memorandum recently published sets forth the procedure we hope to carry out for the release of all classes of men, and I regret that, unless the men referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend are provided for therein, I can take no steps to grant them any priority of release
§ Major O'NEILLIs he aware that the Memorandum does not provide for these men, and does he mean to say that these men are to placed in worse categories than Derby men who enlisted up to June 1916?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think the gain will only be a very few months in the case of any class picked out for early release. We are bringing home and endeavouring to release all our conscript soldiers.
§ Major O'NEILLBut may I point out that these men are not conscript soldiers; 155 and does he mean to say that absolutely no priority of any kind is to be given, as against Derby men, to Irish soldiers who volunteered, often in face of the strongest representations against volunteering, and can the Government give no other information than that which they have given me to-day about this matter?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI will not refuse to consider the point, which undoubtedly is one of some substance.
Sir F. HALLDoes he recognise that these people have been treated in a worse way than conscientious objectors?