HC Deb 05 February 1849 vol 102 cc300-1

MR. GRATTAN moved— That there be laid before this House, Returns of the number of Troops of the Line or other Forces employed in the Insurrection in Ireland, as mentioned in Her Majesty's Speech from the Throne; together with the list and names of the killed and wounded, and the number and description of forces engaged on both sides:—And, of the amount of expenses and cost in sending Troops from Great Britain to Ireland, and in moving the several regiments and other armed forces in various parts of Ireland on the occasion of the said alleged Insurrection.

MR. F. MAULE

said that, from the manner in which the army in Ireland was disposed, the manner in which the officers had commanded, and the forbearance of the troops, no collision whatever had taken place between them and Her Majesty's subjects, and therefore he could give no return of killed and wounded. With reference to the expense of sending the troops to Ireland, he hoped the hon. Member for Meath (Mr. Grattan) would not put the Government to the trouble of searching the Admiralty and Commissariat Departments for the various items, as the search would occupy considerable time, and, if successful, would not convey any information of interest to the public. He had no objection to give a return of the number of troops stationed in Ireland during the three months of the anticipated outbreak.

MR. GRATTAN

said, his object in moving for the returns was to show that the word "insurrection" in the Queen's Speech did not mean insurrection.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.