HC Deb 02 July 1857 vol 146 cc772-4
MR. WARREN

Sir, before I gave the notice which stands in the Votes in my name for this evening, I called the attention of the hon. Baronet the Under Secretary for War to the important subject-matter of that Motion, and at his request postponed the matter till this evening. I am happy to say that I have just received a communication from him of such a satisfactory nature, as will prevent my going into detail on a subject which involves, as every one knows, the stirring of very delicate and critical topics. I shall, therefore, content myself with reading so much of a General Order of His Royal Highness the Commander in Chief, dated the 19th June instant, as gave occasion to my notice. The Order to which I have referred was a General Order issued by his Royal Highness the Commander in Chief on the 19th June, directing— That, for the future, every soldier, after being dismissed from drill, shall attend school as a duty, until he is reported upon as sufficiently advanced in reading, writing, and arithmetic. With the concurrence of the Secretary of State for War, no fees are to be required for this attendance at school. The portion of the circular to which I am more particularly desirous of directing the notice of the House, is that which says, "that for the future every soldier after being dismissed from drill shall attend school as a duty, until he is reported upon as sufficiently advanced in reading, writing, and arithmetic!" Now, Sir, the spirit and object of the entire Order all must applaud, and I congratulate the country on his Royal Highness's enlightened anxiety and efforts to elevate the condition of our soldiers; but immediately on seeing this Order, it occurred to me that very grave difficulties would beset any attempt to carry into execution that portion of it to which I have called the attention of the House. I need not now specify them; but my views have since been greatly strengthened by communication with some of the most distinguished general officers in the service. I have always felt a great interest in military matters, and let few General Orders escape my notice, which must be my apology, if any be necessary, for having ventured to call the attention of the House to this General Order. I beg, therefore, simply to ask the hon. Baronet whether the consideration of the authorities at the War Office has been given to this General Order; and, if so, whether they are prepared to take any steps to rescind or vary it?

SIR JOHN RAMSDEN

had to tender his thanks to the hon. and learned Member for Midhurst for the courteous manner in which he directed the notice of the authorities to this subject. The question was one of very great importance; and though the Government was advised that the particular instruction to which the hon. and learned Member referred as a portion of his Royal Highness the Commander in Chief's circular did not violate any principle of law, yet they thought that it would not be desirable—in fact, that it would be very objectionable—to act upon it. Consequently his Royal Highness had withdrawn the circular in question; and the particular passage to which the hon. and learned Member for Midhurst had pointed was modified by withdrawal of the words which required that attendance at schools should be part of a soldier's duty. Instead of those words, a passage was substituted which merely recommended the officers of regiments to give every encouragement to soldiers in availing themselves of those facilities for instruction which were now afforded in the British army. He trusted that this explanation would be satisfactory to the House.