HC Deb 21 July 1890 vol 347 cc346-8
MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the 2nd Battalion of the Grenadier Guards has been ordered to proceed abroad; and, if so, whither; what regiment will it replace; and- when was the last occasion of the Foot Guards being sent abroad in time of peace?

* MR. E. STANHOPE

It is true that, after considering very carefully the evidence taken by the Court of Inquiry and all the circumstances of the case, His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief has decided to order the 2nd Battalion of the Grenadier Guards to proceed to Bermuda. I deeply regret that anything should have occurred to bring any discredit on the battalion, and I am sure that both officers and men will desire at the earliest date to regain the high reputation which attaches to the whole regiment. His Royal Highness has also directed that the command of the battalion shall be taken up by Colonel Eaton, and that no leave is to be granted to officers or men till further orders. The events which have occurred open up some questions which will be very carefully considered by His Royal Highness. But there is one point as to which no responsibility whatever attaches to the Guards, but which ought to be dealt with. I allude to the absence of any sufficient accommodation in the barracks for the officers, a fact which places them at a disadvantage as compared with Line regiments, and for this I hope to be able to provide under the Barracks Bill recently passed by this House, so that an officer per company shall always reside in barracks. The 2nd Battalion of the Grenadier Guards will replace at Bermuda the 1st Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment, who are proceeding in the ordinary course to Halifax. The Guards are going instead of the 1st Battalion of the Liverpool Regiment from Aldershot, and, therefore, no extra expense is incurred.

MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanark, N.W.)

Is this course to be regarded as being by way of punishment?

* MR. E. STANHOPE

I have stated the facts; the hon. Member can draw his own conclusion.

MR. PICKERSGILL

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last paragraph of my question?

* MR. E. STANHOPE

I should have said that Canada is the last place abroad to which the Guards were sent in time of peace.

MR. A. O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)

Can the right hon. Gentleman state what is the present position of Colonel Maitland?

* MR. E. STANHOPE

Colonel Maitland no longer commands the 2nd Battalion. The command has been taken up by Colonel Eaton.

MR. A. O'CONNOR

Is he on the retired list?

* MR. E. STANHOPE

He is, or will be, on half-pay.

MR. W. REDMOND (Fermanagh, N.)

I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it was not originally intended to send the battalion to the Cape?

* MR. E. STANHOPE

No, never.

MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)

Can the right hon. Gentleman state how long the battalion is to be away?

* MR. E. STANHOPE

No, I can say nothing on that point.

* CAPTAIN VERNEY (Bucks, N.)

Do men who enlist in the Guards do so upon the understanding that they shall not be sent abroad except in the case of war?

* MR. E. STANHOPE

Certainly not.