§ 21. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a young recruit of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers stationed at their depot at Omagh, who went in uniform to Bundoran in the Irish Free State, was arrested by the civic guard because he wore the uniform of the British Army; and whether any representations have been made to the Irish Free State authorities in the matter?
§ 23. Mr. H. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the recent incident in which a soldier belonging to the Royal Inniskillings was compelled to discard his uniform by the civic guard of the Irish Free State when he crossed the border of Northern Ireland to the Irish Free State; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Captain KINGInquiries are being made, but I have not yet obtained all the information asked for. I should be obliged if the question could be repeated in a week's time.
§ Sir W. DAVISONMay we know what is the reason for this delay? This incident happened some weeks ago, and surely the War Office must have been able to find out whether or not the facts are as stated in the question, and whether any representations can be made?
§ Captain KINGI think my hon. Friend will realise the seriousness of this matter, and I hope he will not press me for an answer until we have all the facts before us.
§ Mr. GREENEIs it illegal for a British soldier to wear his uniform in any portion of the British Empire?
§ Captain KINGNot to my knowledge.