HC Deb 06 July 1920 vol 131 cc1220-1
39. Mr. WILLIAM COOTE

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a circular has been issued under the patronage of His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught and other distinguished military personages soliciting funds for the erection of a memorial to the men of Irish regiments who have fallen in the War; that this memorial is to take the form of completing and decorating a Roman Catholic chapel in the Roman Catholic Cathedral, London, and erecting certain memorial tablets therein; is he aware that more than half the men who fell in these regiments were Protestants; and can he take steps to see that the memorial which is to be erected is not to take a sectarian form?

Mr. CHURCHILL

This appears to be a matter for the individual subscribers, and, in the circumstances, I see no ground for the War Office to intervene.

Mr. COOTE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that men in the highest positions in the British Army are engaged in propagating this circular, lending their influence to it, and appealing to the friends of Protestant soldiers in Ireland who have fallen, and will they be allowed to go on in their capacity as British soldiers in high office in the Army?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I think a campaign which is intended to raise a Catholic memorial to Catholic soldiers who died fighting for this country in the War is not one which, to say the least of it, calls for any intervention on the part of the War Office.

Mr. COOTE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is not a circular directed to Catholic soldiers, but to all Irish soldiers, that it is for all Irish soldiers to have a family home in London in these chapels, and under these circumstances, is it fair, considering the feelings of these people, that this circular should issue to them?

Major GLYN

Before the right hon. Gentleman takes any steps, will he make inquiries of the regiments concerned, and make quite sure it is not their wish that this memorial should be asked for?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I do not see where we come in as a Government. If people seek consolation by these rolls, they have every right to do it.