If these men of ours had been taken up, within two or three months of training and in camp they would have been able to do this work, and would have done it ever since, and would thereby have released from 20,000 to 25,000 men.

That is the chief reason, I fancy, why the Military Command in Ireland were in favour of this idea.

But to this moment the refusal continues.

I see that an unofficial Bill was introduced by the Marquess of Lincolnshire into the House of Lords doing, to a great measure, for England and Wales what we have been asking should be done for Ireland.

I claim that that Bill shall be extended to Ireland." The Volunteer Bill came to the House of Commons in a form making it applicable to Ireland.