§ MR. LUSHINGTONwished to ask the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary at War whether he had any objection to express an opinion with regard to a petition presented to the House by a tradesman named Dowie, complaining that an unfavourable and erroneous construction had been placed by the Adjutant General on a report from the Clothing Board relative to the patent boot proposed by the petitioner for adoption in the Army? The petition had been referred to the Committee on the Army Estimates, but that Committee had discontinued its sittings during the present Session.
§ MR. FOX MAULEsaid, his authority was confined to the financial branch of the Army—that he had nothing whatever to do with the clothing, discipline, or command of the Army. The person alluded to had, it appeared, taken out a patent for a certain description of boot, which had been tried and approved of by some commanding officers and men. He then applied to have it made a "sealed pattern;" but the board of general officers refused to adopt it as the sealed pattern for the Army, though they stated that they saw no reason why soldiers should not be allowed to purchase these boots at their own private expense. That permission, he did not know why, had not been carried into effect, and he believed that it was of that which the petitioner complained.
Subject at an end.