§ Mr. S. MCNEILLasked the Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the statement of Sir Hedley Le Bas, in his report to the War Office in reference to recruiting in Ireland, that he was plainly told by certain members of recruiting committees in Dublin that they did not want too many Nationalist recruits,: any, and, if so, what steps have been taken for the combing out from recruiting committees of persons who have made statements likely to prejudice the recruiting of any of His Majesty's subjects, and rendering them liable to prosecution under the Regulations of the Defence of the Realm Act?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGESir Hedley Le Bas has made no report to the War Office. He has, however, stated in a letter to the honorary secretary of the Dublin Recruiting Committee, apparently at a very early stage of the Committee's activities, that one member of that Committee expressed to him the opinion that she was not too anxious that Nationalists should enlist. I am informed that the lady denies that she made use of any such expression. In view of the excellent work done by the Recruiting Committee, I do not think that this apparently isolated and certainly disputed instance renders it necessary to take any special steps such as the hon Member suggests.