§ MAJOR REED rose, pursuant to notice, to ask the hon. Under Secretary for War whether the attention of the War Office has been called to the alleged riotous and insubordinate conduct of certain soldiers of the British German Legion, stationed at Shorncliffe. Whether it is true that a collision has taken place between the police (aided by the inhabitants) and the soldiers, in which several persons were severely injured; that the Riot Act was read and application made to the camp for assistance; that drunkenness prevails to a disgraceful extent, and in some cases the men have refused to obey their officers; and if so, whether any and what means have been taken to prevent the recurrence of such dangerous proceedings?
§ MR. FREDERICK PEELsaid, that by a report received from the commanding officer at Shorncliffe, it appeared that there had been a riot amongst some of the soldiers of the German Legion, which had called for the interference of the police at Folkestone. It had ended by one soldier being taken up and committed to prison. The next day some further disturbances arose, and an attempt was made at a rescue, but it was very shortly suppressed, and the ringleaders taken into custody; and would be brought to trial before a court martial. As to the second part of the question, relative to the drunkenness of the soldiers, the statement was totally unfounded, so far as he had any information.