HC Deb 21 June 1858 vol 151 cc84-5
COLONEL NORTH

said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War,—Whether, in compliance with the intimations made by him to the House on the 18th March last, it is the intention of the Royal Commission appointed to consider the Warrant of October, 1854, relative to Promotions in the Army, to afford an opportunity to every class of officers who thought themselves aggrieved of being fully heard before it?

GENERAL WYNDHAM

said, he would also beg to ask the Secretary of State for War when the Report of the Royal Commission on the Warrant of October, 1856, may be expected to be laid on the table; and, in the event of there being any delay, whether he will consider the propriety of suspending the operation of that Warrant until the Report is made?

GENERAL PEEL

replied, that the cases of every class of officers who complained would be considered by the Commission. He understood from the Commissioners that there was an immense heap of documentary evidence. The Commissioners had examined some of each class of officers which thought it had a grievance to complain of, but they did not think it needful to examine all who might offer themselves. The Commission, as would be seen from its constitution, was fully conversant with the whole subject, and they would make a Report as soon as possible. In answer to the question of the hon. and gallant Member for West Cumberland (General Wydham), he had only to reply that at present he did not think it would be necessary to suspend the operation of the Warrant in question, nor until the Commissioners made their Report.