Mr. NUGENTasked the Minister of National Service whether he is aware that the Civil Service Commissioners are transferring or have given notice of transfer to Somerset House, London, of a number of assistant clerks in Dublin or persons acting as such; if so, whether he is aware that instructions had been given to Labour Exchanges not to employ Irishmen of military age for work in England outside agricultural work; and whether he will cause the aforesaid transfer notice to be withdrawn or if he will state, if such notice is not withdrawn, if young men so transferred will be called up or be liable for military service while in this country?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI have no information as to the matters referred to in the first part of the hon. Member's question. It is possible that he is referring to certain assistant clerkships which have been offered to boy clerks who have been successful in the assistant clerks' examination. If so, they have the option to take or refuse the appointments offered to them. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. In view of what I have stated, the third part of the question does not appear to arise.