§ 18. Viscount WOLMERasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give an undertaking that none of the regiments proposed to be disbanded shall be disbanded until the present disorder in India, Egypt, and Ireland have ceased and a final settlement of the Irish Question has been actually arrived at?
§ Sir R. SANDERSNo, Sir; I am not in a position to give my Noble Friend the undertaking which he desires.
§ Viscount WOLMERDoes the hon. Baronet not think it extremely rash to disband a great number of regiments of the British Army when the whole Empire is seething with disorder?
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKWill the Government pursue a policy which will lead to disarmament?
§ 19. Viscount WOLMERasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the Royal Dublin Fusiliers is one of the oldest regiments of the British Army, that although they have existed 250 years they have only been connected with Ireland 34 years, that the regiment has rendered distinguished service in all parts of the world and has great traditions, he will reconsider the proposal that it should be disbanded?
§ Sir R. SANDERSI much regret that this decision cannot be reconsidered. The recruiting area of the regiment has ceased to be available; moreover, the retention of this regiment would necessitate the disbandment, on grounds of economy, of some other, raised and maintained outside the area of the Irish Free State.
§ Mr. GWYNNEIs not the true reason that we still have the right to enlist men in Ireland?
§ Sir R. SANDERSI could not say without looking at the Treaty.