Lieut.-Colonel THORNEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of soldiers offered their services in 1915, but were rejected on medical grounds, and were called up in 1916; and whether they will receive favourable consideration by his Department for demobilisation?
§ Major HURSTasked the Secretary of State for War whether soldiers in the Army of the Rhine who can satisfy their commanding officers that they intend to train for professions at universities or other seats of higher education will be allowed to be demobilised in time for the beginning of the educational year in October next?
§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to state when Irishmen who volun- 56W teered for service for the duration of the War will be released; whether he is aware-that there is dissatisfaction amongst these volunteers at the action of the authorities detaining them, and in many cases selecting them for drafts for overseas service, whilst men, in many cases much younger and with shorter service, who were conscripted under the Military Service Acts are being demobilised; and whether, now that Peace has been signed, he will take special action for the release from all branches of the Service of those Irishmen who volunteered?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI will answer these three questions at the same time. As I have already stated, I hope to publish the Memorandum I promised this week, and if the men referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend come within any of the categories prescribed therein, they will be dealt with accordingly. I do not wish to anticipate this by partial answers.