§ MR. BIGGARasked the Secretary of State for War, Is it a fact that on the 29th day of July 1879 the following serious charges were brought against the Lieutenant Colonel of the Antrim Artillery Militia, viz. of having, during the training in June 1879, been frequently intoxicated and disorderly; if so, were the charges investigated, and, if not, for what reason, as the person who brought the charges declared he was prepared to substantiate them, and, if withdrawn, whether any pressure or influence was brought to bear to induce the person to do so?
§ COLONEL STANLEYSir, in my reply to the hon. Member for Cavan on Thursday, I stated that we had at the War Office no trace of the matter to which his Question referred, but that I would cause inquiries relative to it to be made. That I have done. On that day a letter was addressed to the General Commanding in Ireland, calling his attention to the Notice given by the hon. Gentleman, forwarding him a copy of it, and asking for a Report on the statement. A reply has been received from Sir John Michel, Commanding the Forces in Ireland. Sir John Michel 554 corroborates the statement that such a charge was made on the 27th August last. It was made by a gentleman whose name I need not mention, as the hon. Gentleman has not done so. On September 11th, the officer commanding the Antrim Militia Artillery was called upon to state what course he proposed to take in order to refute the charges so made. He replied that on the 19th of the month he would be in Dublin, and requested that the matter might be allowed to stand over till then. He came to Dublin, and had one or more interviews with the Assistant Adjutant General. Whilst the matter was still pending and the pleadings were going on, a letter was received from the gentleman who made the charge, in which he said—"With your permission, I beg to withdraw the charge I have made." The General Officer Commanding in Ireland thereupon let the matter drop, as he had no prosecutor. As to any pressure brought to bear to induce the withdrawal of the charge, Sir John Michel has no information. That is all I know.