HC Deb 21 March 1918 vol 104 cc1210-1W
Mr. BYRNE

asked the Minister of National Service if his attention has been drawn to advertisements in Irish newspapers offering employment to carpenters, bricklayers, lead workers, and labourers in Great Britain; if he is aware that, owing to the attempts of the authorities in Great Britain to compel Irishmen temporarily resident in Great Britain to register, and that the Registration Act has been used by the recruiting authorities for recruiting purposes, Irishmen will not travel to the work offered unless sufficient guarantees against registration and military service are forthcoming; and if, in order to expedite work of national importance, he will see that the necessary guarantees are given?

Mr. BECK

With regard to the registration of Irishmen temporarily resident in Great Britain, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on the 28th of February by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Local Government Board. I may add that Irishmen brought over for essential work in Great Britain through the medium of the Employment Exchanges have received cards issued by the Employment Exchanges protecting them against recruitment.