8. Colonel NEWMANasked the Secretary of State for War what provision is being made for the future of officers at present serving with the Royal Munster Fusiliers and other Irish regiments now being disbanded under the terms of the Treaty made with the Irish Free State?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSAs I explained on the 15th instant, in my statement on Army Estimates, it is proposed that the whole Army shall bear equally the reduction in officers consequent on the disbandment of units; that is to say, it will not follow from the disbandment of any unit that every officer in it will be retired. Officers whose retention is recommended will be allowed to transfer to other regiments. Officers will be allowed a choice of regiments, and their wishes will be met as far as is possible in the interest of the Service. Those who are called upon to retire will be offered compensation as to the terms of which I hope to make a statement at an early date.
Colonel NEWMANSuppose an officer of one of these regiments take service with the Irish Republican Army, will he get pay from this Government? [An HON MEMBER: "Why not?"]
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSSo long as he is transferred to one of the British forces, my answer applies; if he goes to some force the British Government does not recognise, of course, he will not be paid by the British Government.