§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Minister of National Service if he will state the present position under the Military Service Act of Irishmen temporarily resident in Great Britain performing work of national importance; whether the guarantees which they received against military service will be respected; and whether they will be allowed to return to Ireland before any form of military service is imposed on them?
§ Mr. BECKThe position is as stated to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department on Thursday last. Instructions were issued to all recruiting officials on the 9th April to the effect that no alteration is to be made at present in the existing procedure as regards Irishmen ordinarily resident in Ireland and only temporarily resident in Great Britain for the purpose of working on shipbuilding, munitions, work in connection with Government contracts, port transport work or agriculture. In the event of the Military Service Bill being applied to Ireland, Irishmen ordinarily resident in Ireland and only temporarily resident in Great Britain for some special purpose will be given due notice of the application of compulsory service to Ireland and will also be given an opportunity of returning to Ireland should they prefer to be made liable to service in Ireland.