§ 32. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state what are the reasons which have induced the Admiralty to refrain from granting facilities whereby youths resident in the South of Ireland and desirous of joining His Majesty's Navy may be assisted to make the journey to Belfast, which is now the nearest recruiting station available to them, and to maintain themselves for the necessary period; and whether, in view of the importance of keeping the connection between Ireland and His Majesty's 2366 Navy, the Admiralty can review their decision so that some assistance may to given to those who are now unable to submit themselves through no fault of their own?
Mr. DAVIDSONThe grant of travelling expenses from the South of Ireland to Belfast would not be justifiable, seeing that sufficient numbers of suitable men are available in other districts. In this connection it should be remembered that only a small proportion of candidates for the Royal Navy are finally accepted.