HC Deb 19 February 1917 vol 90 c995W
Mr. LYNCH

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will arrange for a referendum of the Irish people to decide whether it is with their consent or at their desire that a state of military rule has been imposed in that country?

Mr. DUKE

The state of military rule to which the hon. Member refers is, I assume, the enforcement of the Defence of the Realm Acts and Regulations. No referendum is provided for in the Acts, and I do not propose to ask for any modification of them in this respect.