§ MR. CHILDERSasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is true that the baggage of the regiment which landed at Portsmouth on Saturday last from the Crocodile was not delivered at Plymouth till Wednesday, being four days after the arrival of the regiment at the latter garrison?
§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONIn consequence of what fell from my hon. Friend last night on this subject, I telegraphed for information; but as I have not yet received a reply, perhaps my hon. Friend will repeat his Question on Monday.
§ Afterwards—
§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONsaid, he could now answer the Question. In reply to his inquiry he had received the following statement:—
The 2nd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade arrived at Portsmouth in the Crocodile on the 22nd instant, and the baggage of the battalion was loaded on the railway trucks on the afternoon and evening of that day, and was from that time in the hands of the railway authorities, ready to be forwarded to Plymouth that night. The first delivery of baggage at Devonport took place on the 27th inst., and the second on the following day. The delay rested entirely with the railway authorities, and Messrs. Pickford and Co. were responsible—the conveyance of the baggage having been a regimental arrangement with that firm.