§ MR. PEACOCKEsaid, he asked a Question a few evenings ago of the noble Lord the Under Secretay for War, relative to the supply by the Government of the articles and implements necessary to enable Volunteer Engineer corps to obtain a knowledge of their duties. The noble Marquess stated that the War Office had issued a circular to commanding officers of Engineers, giving a list of thirty-five articles which were supplied to Engineer corps. He was at first rather nettled at having asked a Question to which so complete an answer could be returned, as it implied a degree of ignorance on his part, and on the part of those who had asked him to put the Question. The officer at whose instance he had put the Question, and who was one of his constituents, had himself raised an Engineer Corps at his own expense, which was as efficient as any in the service, and he felt the utmost confidence in his knowledge on the subject. He had since received a letter from this officer stating that he had never received a copy of the circular which the Under Secretary for War stated had been sent to every commanding officer of Engineers. The noble Lord would now perceive that the Question had been asked, not from ignorance of the Member who put it, or of his constituent who had desired it to be put, but from the laches of his own office, with which the blame of not forwarding the circular entirely rested.
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONsaid, that the hon. and learned Member had only given him notice that evening of his intention to advert to the subject, and it was, therefore, impossible for him to explain under what circumstances the officer of Engineers had not received the War Office circular. He had by no means, imputed ignorance to the hon. Member, but had simply replied that the War Office had issued a list of all the articles which the Government were prepared to supply. He would make inquiry into the matter.
§ Main Question put, and agreed to.